Mich. OKs air quality rule changes at Eagle Mine
Michigan regulators OK air quality rule changes at UP's Eagle Mine, to reopen in late 2014
MICHIGAMME TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has agreed to let operators of the Upper Peninsula's Eagle Mine modify their air pollution procedures, including removing a dust collector.
Canada's Lundin Mining Corp. is buying the nickel and copper mine from London-based Rio Tinto PLC for $325 million.
The mine is in Marquette County's Michigamme Township. It's expected to resume operations late next year.
The Mining Journal of Marquette says Rio Tinto made several changes Eagle Mine since its previous air permit in 2007. They include eliminating on-site ore crushing, adding an enclosed aggregate storage building and eliminating a fabric filter dust collector.
Jeffery Loman of the group Save the Wild U.P. says the state agency "seems more interested in facilitating corporate gamesmanship than protecting the land and people of Michigan."
