Michigan judge nullifies crucial permit for mining project
by John Flesher, The Associated Press
Posted Jan 5, 2021 6:17 pm EDT
Last Updated Jan 5, 2021 at 6:28 pm EDT
FILE - This Oct. 20, 2008 file photo shows, one of many signs that have popped up in yards, on trees and along roads in the Lake Township, Mich., section of Menominee County, where the proposed Aquila Resources Inc. mine would be located. Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter has overruled state regulators who granted a permit required for construction of the open-pit mine in the Upper Peninsula, in a decision released Monday. Jan. 4, 2021, creating another delay for a project that has been debated for nearly two decades.(AP Photo/John Flesher, File)
Michigan judge nullifies crucial permit for mining project in U.P.
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John Flesher/AP
FILE - This Oct. 20, 2008 file photo shows, one of many signs that have popped up in yards, on trees and along roads in the Lake Township, Mich., section of Menominee County, where the proposed Aquila Resources Inc. mine would be located. Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter has overruled state regulators who granted a permit required for construction of the open-pit mine in the Upper Peninsula, in a decision released Monday. Jan. 4, 2021, creating another delay for a project that has been debated for nearly two decades.(AP Photo/John Flesher, File)
AP Environmental Write
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) A Michigan judge has overruled state regulators who approved a key permit for a proposed open-pit mine in the Upper Peninsula, another delay for a project that has been debated for nearly two decades.
Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter invalidated a wetlands permit granted in 2018 to Aquila Resources Inc. The Toronto-based company’s Back Forty mine primarily would target gold and zinc in an underground sulfide deposit, as well as smaller volumes of copper, silver and lead.
In another twist, the state agency that sided with Aquila two years ago said Tuesday that it agreed with the judge’s ruling.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
TRAVERSE CITY A Michigan judge overruled state regulators who approved a key permit for a proposed open-pit mine in the Upper Peninsula, another delay for a project that has been debated for nearly two decades.
Administrative Law Judge Daniel Pulter invalidated a wetlands permit granted in 2018 to Aquila Resources Inc. The Toronto-based company’s Back Forty mine primarily would target gold and zinc in an underground sulfide deposit, as well as smaller volumes of copper, silver and lead.
In another twist, the state agency that sided with Aquila two years ago said Tuesday that it agreed with the judge’s ruling.
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Aquila Resources proposed gold and zinc mine would come within 150 feet of the Menominee River.
Danielle Kaeding/WPR
Michigan environmental regulators’ decision to grant a controversial wetlands permit for an open-pit mine on the banks of the Menominee River was revoked in a final decision Monday by a Michigan judge.
The ruling is a win for the Menominee Indian Tribe and opponents of the Back Forty mine proposed by Toronto-based Aquila Resources. The company wants to mine primarily gold and zinc from a 750-foot deep open pit that would come within 150 feet of the Menominee River.