The Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin issued a statement late Thursday saying it was “saddened and outraged” with the decision by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to approve the Aquila Resources mine permit for the Back Forty Mine Project.
Michigan officials on Thursday approved permits for Aquila to mine for gold, cooper and zinc on land that the tribe regards as historically and culturally significant near the Menominee River in Stephenson, Michigan.
State officials said two other permits still under consideration are required for development of the mine.
Menominee tribal Chairwoman Joan Delabreau issued a statement that the Back Forty mining operation would jeopardize the environment and would disturb property that includes 24 sites of historical and cultural significance to the Wisconsin tribe.
Delabreau also questioned the timing of the decision, saying people can’t respond adequately because of the holidays.
“Approval of the permit places industry greed before the health and life-sustaining needs of the people who reside in this area and within the Great Lakes Region,” Delabreau said in her statement.
Aquila Resources Inc. has proposed investing $261 million to build open-pit and underground mines for the gold- and zinc-rich deposit near the Menominee River. The mine is expected to have a 16-year life and create more than 250 jobs.
Aquila also has said the mine will generate more than $11 million annually in revenue for state and local governments.
Construction on the mine won’t begin until all permits have been issued for the project.
“The tribe will continue to fight for the protection of our ancestors and the water and environmental quality,” Delabreau said.