It looks as though there will be a delay in deciding how
Kennecott Eagle Minerals will be trucking out the product the Eagle Mine produces once its construction is completed. The company, which is owned by Rio Tino, has announced that it will not be seeking to develop a new north-south road through Marquette County. Instead, the company hopes to invest in improvements to the county's existing truck route to service the mine.
"While we believe the proposed (County Road) 595 was a better solution, we are prepared to use existing truck routes CR 510 and 550 as specified in permit conditions approved for the Eagle Mine," says Andrew Ware, Kennecott Eagle Minerals acting project director. "Kennecott is committed to working with residents and to paying for necessary upgrades and significant safety and structural improvements to the Triple A, County Roads 510 and 550, Wright Street, and other transportation infrastructure."
The decision came after the company considered the federal permitting time line as well as the objection by some community members due to the potential impact of building the new road.
The company, instead, hopes to work with local authorities, residents and communities to push forward with plans to use the current truck route.
The mine, when completed, is expected to produce 300 million pounds of nickel, 250 million pounds of copper and trace amounts of other minerals.
Writer: Sam EgglestonSource: Andrew Ware, Kennecott Eagle Minerals
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