WAKEFIELD — President Donald Trump’s executive order of Feb. 25, titled “Addressing the threat to national security from imports of copper,” states the United States faces significant vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain, with increasing reliance on foreign sources for mined, smelted and refined copper.

“It is the policy of the United States to ensure a reliable, secure, and resilient domestic copper supply chain,” the order states. “The United States’ increasing dependence on foreign sources of copper, particularly from a concentrated number of supplier nations, along with the risk of foreign market manipulation, necessitate action under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act to determine whether imports of copper, scrap copper, and copper’s derivative products threaten to impair national security.”

A companion order, titled Immediate measures to increase American mineral production, was signed on March 20. This order states, in part, that the the Secretary of Defense may use the authority under section 303 of the DPA, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, the Chair of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and the heads of other agencies as the Secretary of Defense deems appropriate, for the domestic production and facilitation of strategic resources the Secretary of Defense deems necessary or appropriate to advance domestic mineral production in the United States.

The order also includes tasks the Secretary of the Interior to identify and provide a list of all federal lands known to hold mineral deposits and reserves.

“The Secretary of the Interior shall prioritize mineral production and mining related purposes as the primary land uses in these areas, consistent with applicable law,” the order states.

These two orders may or may not have an impact on Highland Copper Company’s Copperwood Mine Project, in Gogebic County. While the two orders will relieve much of the federal red tape in opening a mine in the U.S., Copperwood is not located on federal land; it is a wholly owned greenfield copper project owned and operated by Copperwood Resources, Inc., a subsidiary of Highland Copper, which is a Canadian corporation.

While the State of Michigan has its own regulations and laws in regard to mining, Copperwood Site Manager Mike Foley is optimistic that the executive orders will have a positive impact on the Gogebic County site.

“The Executive Order proves what Highland Copper and many others have been saying for years,” Foley said. “A secure, domestic copper supply chain is critical to America’s future. Copper is essential for everything from electric vehicles and renewable energy to broadband and national defense.”

As the Copperwood Project continues to be developed, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) earlier this month approved Highland Copper Company’s updated air permit for the Copperwood Mine Project. 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.

“Copperwood aligns perfectly with this national priority,” Foley said. “It’s a fully permitted domestic copper project that meets rigorous environmental and safety standards.”

Michigan has some of the strictest environmental laws in the nation, said Foley.

“This puts us in an ideal position to help meet the demand for responsibly sourced U.S. copper, he said. “Additionally, the order calls for strategic investments and allowing for reform will create a clearer path to support projects like Copperwood. With state and federal alignment, we are even better positioned to bring this opportunity to life for Michigan and the nation.”

The Copperwood Project is not the only mining interest in the Gogebic Range area the Canadian company is pursuing, said Foley. Highland is actively involved in a project called White Pine North in partnership with Kinterra Capital.

“A preliminary economic assessment was completed in July 2023,” Foley said, “showing strong project economics. The project is located immediately north of the former White Pine Mine and infill drilling, permitting data collection and site maintenance have been completed. We are actively working to complete engineering studies and environmental baselining.”