Back Forty Project:
NorthMet Project, Polymet:
Mining General:
This report evaluates the clean-up costs of hardrock mining in the US and the burden on the Superfund program.
Copperwood Mine:
The table below highlights mines that are currently in the permitting or exploratory process, as of April 11, 2017.
| Name, Owner, Location | Size | Wetlands Impacted | Type of Mine | Status |
| Back Forty,
Aquila, Stephenson, Michigan |
Approx 1,000 acres owned and leased (check before we publish)
Pit size |
Not yet known | Open-pit gold, nickel, copper, | Permits received for mining and air. Pending wastewater discharge (NPDES) and wetlands. |
| NorthMet Project,
Poly Met Company, Babbit, Minnesota |
6,650 acres | 913 acres of wetland permanently removed | Open-pit
gold, nickel |
Permits applied for include: mining, water appropriations, and dam safety. Have not yet submitted wetlands permit. |
| Copperwood Project,
Highland Copper/Lougueul, Porcupine Mountain State Park, Gogebic, Ontonagon and Keweenaw Counties, Michigan |
21 exploration holes, of which 12 are in a 1-square mile area located in the state park. | Not yet known | Copper | Exploratory permits granted, possibly including road construction. |