In this post RMP lays out a teaser map of the Aquila Gold & Zinc Mine that might see construction begin as soon as 2016. An ore deposit called a volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposit was discovered on the Menominee River which separates Michigan from Wisconsin as the state line from Iron Mountain to Lake Michigan via Green Bay. Total revenues for the expected 16 year project could top out over $2.0 billion USD if things go well for Aquila. Read this post to learn more.
RMP is 501(c)3 non-profit organization registered in Michigan. We are committed to protecting fresh water resources by advocating for: sustainable energy production, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, remediating environmental pollution & rethinking waste management.
The tailings pond so close to the river is a major spill diaster waiting to happen. I live on this river and it is NOT remote. Marinette and Menominne lay south of this site. Who will take care of us who live on the river…our wells, our property values, and the caustic materials in the river. This company can walk away from any diaster as it is a LLC. It isn’t a matter if a diaster will happen, it is a matter of when.
I used to live in Menominee, and am aghast at the thought of such a mine so close to such an important waterway. Just learning about the story – I have to wonder who in Lake County gave the initial approval for this disaster waiting to happen (and what their motivations were, with this much money in play) and whether the project has been review by the DNR and other state and federal agencies, given the obvious horrible environmental effects that will (not could, will) follow.
My wife and I own a home on the river approx 1 mile to the south. We bought this property in hopes to retire here. If this goes through, the peace and quite will be gone, the clean air will be gone. the starry nights gone, the property values gone, the enjoyment of the river gone. I will not be able to sell to anyone, so my investment will be gone. I don’t know what we can do about it. We are just sick about this and don’t have the money to fight them. Everything we looked forward to will go up in a cloud of DUST.
This proposed mine would be less than 150 feet from the river, on the site of burial mounds and ancient garden beds of the Indigenous Menominee tribe, and threatening the habitat of the endangered lake sturgeon, endangered long eared bat, mussels, milk thistle and Shakey Lakes Savanah. No way! Aquila Mine Go Away!
If you found a gold mine like they have, would you just leave it there, no. I would be doing exactly what is going on, even if I lived right across from it. If you have a chance to change your life for the better, you do it, don’t You?
You are not like most people then. Money wouldn’t matter much if the toxins from the mine made you sick and shortened your life! Please think about other people besides yourself. Aren’t you the least concerned about what type of planet we leave behind for our kids, Grand kids and their offspring in the decades to come? I’ll bet that you don’t believe in global climate change are one of those who are trying to “Make America Great Again!”
I formerly lived in Menominee, since I’ve gotten a MA in geology majoring in geomagnetics and hard rock formations.
Questions: How has this company performed on similar projects? And their contractors? What if the ‘mineral pay zone’ extends under the service areas? What indemnities are provided for legitimate failures? Are legal council certified exploration geologists? Do the landowners have legal council?
Certainly good questions Jerry. I don’t know & can’t pretend to know the answers. Anyone reading is free to offer up answers. Some of the answers might be obtained through research you can do from internet searches.