Michigan's first new mine in decades has begun a multi-year tunneling project to reach a second ore deposit.
MLivereports Toronto-based Lundin Mining Corp. has requested the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality amend Eagle Mine's Part 632 mining permit to allow the company to finish the tunnel. The second ore body is a high-grade nickel and copper deposit called Eagle East.
Michigamme Township's Eagle Mine began constructing the tunnel in July, but needs approval from the environmental quality department in order to advance all the way to Eagle East. The department says the decision to make a "significant" permit amendment requires a stricter public review. It has until mid-March to formally make that call.
Johnson says that developing Eagle East will extend the mine's lifespan into 2023.
