IRON MOUNTAIN — The Michigan Senate has adjourned for the year without taking action on a proposed $50 million grant for the controversial Copperwood mining project in Gogebic County just outside Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Copperwood Resources, Inc., a U.S.-based subsidiary of the Canadian company Highland Copper, sought the grant from Michigan’s Strategic Site Readiness Program, managed by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The grant is for infrastructure, such as roads, utilities, and telecommunications, in preparation for the mine’s construction.

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee approved the funding earlier this month, but the Senate Appropriations Committee adjourned last week without taking a vote.

The proposed funding is protested by critics worried about the environmental impact, including the storage of mine tailings near Lake Superior. Protect the Porkies, a campaign opposing the project, declared victory in a news release but warned attempts to secure state aid might be reintroduced.

Highland Copper promises to invest $425 million in the project, providing 380 jobs that pay $80,000 or more over the mine’s 11-year life. Annual state and local tax revenue from the mine could amount to $15 million, according to Bridge Michigan.

Opponents say the storage of mining waste in a 320-acre basin would threaten Lake Superior and the Presque Isle River.

“Locating a mine waste dump so close to Lake Superior defies common sense,” said Dr. Al Gedicks, executive director of the Wisconsin Resources Protection Council. “The risk of a tailings dam failure is greatly increased due to extreme weather events.”

InvestUP CEO Marty Fittante said the economic development group will continue to press for the funding.

“We have waited so long for this but we remain persistent and patient on behalf of the people of the Upper Peninsula,” Fittante said in a statement. “While we are disappointed the Senate chose not to take action on the Copperwood Mine project this year, we are optimistic it will move forward in 2025.”

A petition calling for the halting of Copperwood’s development has garnered over 350,000 signatures, and a letter opposing the subsidy has been signed by over 70 organizations, according to Protect the Porkies.

“The people of Michigan spoke loud and clear that using state funds to assist in the development of a mine that could harm the great Lake Superior, a beloved state park and community water supplies is not how state funds should be used,” said Jill Ryan, executive director of Freshwater Future.

InvestUP, meanwhile, says 22 units of government, ranging from townships to county boards, have issued resolutions of support for the mine and nearly 10 local institutions have submitted letters backing the funding. The project meets Michigan’s mining laws, which are some of the strictest in the nation, according to InvestUP Vice Chair Matt Johnson.

“The Cooperwood Mine project is an opportunity to give our community hope for a brighter future and a reason for our children to stay in the area,” said Wakefield Township Supervisory Mandy Lake. “Mining is in our roots. It’s who we are. We know it can be done safely, without harming the environment, and in a way that promotes tourism and positively impacts generations of residents.”