ONTONOGAN, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) obtained 8,392 acres of mineral rights after a recent land exchange with the Keweenaw Land Association Ltd.
The land and mineral rights are mostly located in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Meanwhile, Keweenaw received 9,551 acres of mineral rights from the DNR in parts of Baraga, Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron, Menominee and Ontonagon counties.
Ron Olson, chief of the DNR’s Parks and Recreation Division, said the parties did not swap money. Instead, it is considered a fair trade value.
“This is a very important transaction for both parties,” Olson said. “This allows us to better protect park resources in the Porcupine Mountains, and it provides the land association with mineral rights in areas believed to contain prospective copper, gold and nickel resources.”
The deal between the parties took nearly three years to complete.
In addition, the DNR acquired mineral rights to a 40-acre property in Dickinson County where a mine operated previously. Currently it serves as a winter home for bats.
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