Site of Highland Copper Company’s Copperwood Mine Project, near Wakefield, in Gogebic County. (Courtesy of Highland Copper Company)

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) earlier this month approved Highland Copper Company’s updated air permit for its Copperwood Mine Project in Gogebic County.

Mike Foley, Copperwood site manager, said the project the progressing according to plan.

“Development of the Copperwood Mine is still ongoing,” Foley said, “and Highland Copper has been actively working on engineering, design and construction activities since 2023.”

Foley said Copperwood completed its required early site work last year, keeping key permits in good standing. Highland Copper is now moving forward with detailed engineering and design.

“The recent approval of Highland Copper’s updated air permit by EGLE confirms the project is progressing while remaining in full compliance with Michigan’s stringent environmental laws,” said Foley. “Highland Copper remains committed to advancing the Copperwood Project while ensuring it is developed in a responsible manner, but many factors affect operations and the exact date remains variable.”

Foley said the positive response the project has received from the local community is encouraging.

“The continued and overwhelming local support for the Copperwood project from the people who actually live and work in the Western Upper Peninsula has bolstered our resolve to bring this project to production.”

Foley said Twenty-one units of government, including townships and county boards, have passed resolutions in favor of the project, alongside nearly a dozen letters of support from local institutions and dozens of community leaders.

The Copperwood, when developed, will be an underground mine using the room-and-pillar method, with an estimated processing rat of 6,800 metric tons (7,495.7 U.S.tons) per day, Highland states.