Kennecott Eagle Project
Mine Permitting and Design
Marquette County, Michigan

Foth successfully assisted with the permitting of the Kennecott Eagle nickel and copper mine in Marquette County, Michigan.

Challenges

At the time the project was conceived, the state of Michigan did not have in place a mining law to regulate nonferrous metallic mining.  Foth assisted Kennecott in working with stakeholder groups to draft new mining law and administrative rules. 

Foth evaluated alternative project configurations and permitting requirements and advised Kennecott on permitting strategies to balance the needs of the community, environment and project economics. 

Foth provided technical review of all baseline studies completed by local service providers. In addition, Foth incorporated the baseline studies into project permitting documents including:

  • Preparing an air quality permit application including emission investory and air dispersion modeling
  • Designing the water treatment and discharge system and preparing the groundwater discharge permit application
  • Preparing the underground injection control permit application
  • Preparing the mine permit application, stormwater permit application, and environmental impact assessment
  • Designing the developmental rock storage area
  • Preparing the state land lease and reclamation plan
  • Coordinating with Kennecott's legal counsel the technical consultants for litigation support

Benefits

In December 2007, the Eagle Project was the first nonferrous metallic mining project permitted under Michigan's new mining law.  The technical basis for the Eagle Project permits has withstood numerous legal challenges seeking to block completeness determination of the mine permit application, and issuance of the air permit and state lease.  The success of the Eagle Project exemplifies the importance of a well-planned and executed permitting strategy for modern day mines.

Click here to view a video about the Eagle Project

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