LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan, known for its pristine Great Lakes and breathtaking wilderness, is now in the spotlight for a proposed $50 million taxpayer-funded grant to Highland Copper, a Canadian company, planning to mine copper near Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula about five hours west of the Mackinac Bridge. This project, dubbed the Copperwood Mine, is raising eyebrows for its environmental risks and questionable economic benefits.

The proposed funding would come from, not surprisingly, the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR), a public fund managed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) – and critics are questioning why Michigan taxpayers are being asked to subsidize yet another foreign corporation in the state.

Digging deep for copper – and toxic waste.

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According to a report from Limitless Media, the Copperwood Mine would yield just 1.5% of usable copper from its operations, leaving behind 98.5% of extracted material as toxic waste. This would result in over 30 million tons of tailings (leftover materials produced during mining operations) containing arsenic, mercury, and selenium, stored in a massive pond only two miles from Lake Superior – the world’s largest freshwater lake.

Limitless Media also reports that environmentalists are warning that that Michigan’s already understaffed Dam Safety Program might not be equipped to ensure the safety of such a storage facility, especially during extreme weather events. With a tailings disposal facility taller than the Statue of Liberty planned near sensitive ecosystems, opponents fear an environmental disaster in the making.

Al Gedicks, Executive Secretary of the Wisconsin Resources Protection Council, says, “The risks of a catastrophic…accident that would discharge toxic waste into Lake Superior are greatly increased with an underfunded exploration company that has every incentive to cut costs on the maintenance and repair.”

Green dreams or corporate welfare? Or both?

The push for this project appears to be tied to growing demand for copper, a critical component in electric vehicles (EVs). EVs require 2.5 times more copper than traditional combustion engines, and as the EV industry expands, so does the need for this metal.

Although the green energy agenda and EVs are a key priority for Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer, critics like Tom Grotewohl, founder of “Protect the Porkies,” a group opposing the project, point out that most of the copper is unlikely to stay in Michigan or even in the U.S. Instead, it would likely be exported abroad, benefiting foreign economies more than Michigan taxpayers. Grotewohl said to Michigan News Source, “So are we supposed to subsidize the electrification of Canada or the electrification of China?”

A limited lifespan and dubious job promises.

Supporters of the Copperwood Mine tout the potential economic benefits for Gogebic County, including 380 new jobs paying $80,000 to $120,000 annually. Quentin Messer Jr., president and CEO of the MEDC, told reporters back in March that the project was “critical” to emboldening Michigan’s supply chain and creating jobs across the state while supplying copper material “essential to the mobility and clean tech industries.”

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According to a Bridge Michigan report, state projections show that the project could result in $15 million in annual state and municipal tax revenue. Additionally, the Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce is supportive of the project with president Mary Beth DeFazio saying, “We need something to come in and build up our economy.”

However, critics argue that the job projections don’t account for the automation-heavy nature of modern mining. For comparison, the Eagle Mine in Marquette County employs fewer than 80 people.

Furthermore, a new report from the Detroit News cites that Michigan has targeted $2.1 billion for new businesses but very few jobs have actually been created via taxpayer incentives from SOAR.

Adding to the concerns, the mine’s operational lifespan is only 11 years which means the region would be tied to a non-sustainable industry. After those 11 years, Highland Copper plans to halt operations, leaving behind what critics call a toxic legacy for the local community and Michigan’s environment. Opponents fear the promised economic gains are short-lived and don’t justify the long- term risks.

Porcupine Mountains: a natural treasure at risk.

The Copperwood Mine’s proximity to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, one of Michigan’s most beloved natural areas, has sparked additional opposition. The project would involve drilling near old-growth forests and the Presque Isle River, a site with cultural significance to the Anishinaabe people.

There’s also the North Country Trail, the longest hiking trail in the United States and a vital part of the Upper Peninsula’s natural heritage, which would sit less than a quarter-mile from industrial sites like sewage lagoons, explosives plants, and waste containment facilities. Advocates caution that the intrusion of industrial noise, light pollution, and heavy traffic could permanently disrupt the trail’s tranquil and unspoiled atmosphere.

Public outcry and legislative hurdles.

Public opposition to the Copperwood Mine is growing. Over 248,000 people have signed a petition against the project, and tribal leaders have marched in protest.

Environmental groups, tribal leaders, EDRA (Economic Development Responsibility Alliance) of Michigan and local advocates have called on lawmakers to reject the funding proposal, citing the project’s risks and limited benefits.

EDRA cites many reasons to oppose the project including the proximity to and environmental impacts on the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park; the economic impacts on regional tourism and recreation; the potential for dam rupture and the misuse of taxpayer funds; and environmental injustice.

Lawmakers in the dark about project’s environmental and economic impact.

Grotewohl told Michigan News Source that he traveled to the Capitol in Lansing on Wednesday to meet with state lawmakers. He reported that many legislators were unaware of key details about the project, including its environmental impact and the lack of guarantees that the copper would benefit Michigan. He commented, “Why not let the free market determine the viability of this operation rather than relying on Michigan taxpayer dollars?”

A toxic gamble for Michigan taxpayers.

Grotewohl noted that the Michigan House Appropriations Committee is set to review the funding proposal next week, with Highland Copper expected to attend. He expressed hope that opponents will present compelling evidence to highlight the project’s flaws. Additionally, he pointed out that Highland Copper must secure $150 million in private investment by December 2025, further complicating the project’s future.

Critics like Grotewohl contend that Michigan’s taxpayer dollars and natural resources shouldn’t be used to prop up a foreign corporation offering uncertain benefits and possible environmental risks to the state. Whether lawmakers share this perspective remains to be seen.