A controversy has erupted over the failure of Michigan regulators, to properly review documents questioning the structural integrity of a proposed underground nickel/copper project being developed by Kennecott Minerals in Marquette County.
Kennecott officials declared Thursday that the company was “very disappointed” with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announcement that it is withdrawing its decision to approve the Eagle Minerals project.
In a news release issued Thursday, the DEQ said the decision was made “after discovering that two reports on the structural integrity of the mine were not properly made part of the public record or given a comprehensive review.” The reports concerned crown pillar subsidence and hydrologic stability of the proposed mine, which is expected to produce 250 million to 300 pounds of nickel and almost 200 million pounds of copper.
“As a result, there has been an insufficient opportunity for the entire mining team and DEQ management to review the additional technical reports and determine their significance from a technical legal and policy perspective,” the agency said Thursday. “In addition to a technical review of the reports, the department will be undertaking an extensive procedural review to determine how these documents were not immediately given the proper consideration.”
A spokesman for MDEQ said the agency wasn’t changing its mind if the mine would not be permitted, but, instead, was reviewing the administrative process that made the decision. During the review period, MDEQ members who were in charge of permitting the project have been reassigned.
In a statement issued Thursday, Kennecott officials said they had provided all required information reports on a timely basis, and had responded to requests by the agency and their experts to address issues related to all aspects related to the design and operation of the Eagle Minerals.
The agency’s preliminary approval was to be the subject of public hearings scheduled next week before a final permit would be granted. DEQ staff members who didn’t properly handle the mining project reports have been reassigned during the investigation.
Michelle Halley, an attorney representing the National Wildlife Federation, said the DEQ’s action confirmed that “their entire decision-making process on this mine had been corrupted.”
Kennecott Eagle Project Manager Jon Cherry said in a statement that “we re very disappointed with this decision since it does not appear to have anything substantively to do with the draft permit and conditions, but we will work cooperatively with MDEQ once MDEQ gets the process back on track.
source:www.mineweb.net
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