1/10/2025

WAKEFIELD- A new legislative year is here, but state spending to support the Wakefield mine project remains unsettled. Before the last legislative session ended, the Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee failed to take up the request for transfer of $50 million to Highland Copper. Highland Copper is the Canadian company behind the Copperwood Mine project that would see a copper mine built in the western U.P.  If approved, the state’s $50 million would be added to $100 million the company plans to put up to improve the roads, electrical transmission and broadband in the project area, in Wakefield and Ironwood Townships.  The CEO of InvestUP says because this is a transfer and not a bill, it does not need to be reintroduced, and Senate committee members can vote on the issue when they have the votes.  Protect the Porkies opposes the project and says that area isn’t a good fit for any development, not just mining, because of how close it is to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.