5/1/2025

GOGEBIC COUNTY - The Gogebic County Board of Commissioners, voted to reiterate support for the Copperwood Mine, which is currently in early stages of development by the Highland Copper Company. The vote came after a presentation by Tom Grotewohl, founder of Protect the Porkies, a volunteer group opposed to the mining project. Besides the disruption of the peace and quiet beauty of the area, Grotewohl pointed out that the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park has the largest old-growth forest in Michigan, and that the risks that Highland Copper minimized as acceptable were bound to be problematic. After Grotewohl’s presentation and after public comments by at least a dozen people, the board voted unanimously to continue its support of the mine.