IS BACK FORTY A SULFIDE MINE?
No.
We are a primary zinc-gold mine with other minerals including silver, copper, and lead. However, the ore body happens to be in sulfide-bearing rock.
The term “sulfide mining” is slang, not a scientific definition or classification of mining. It is a term used by mining opponents to elicit concern and to confuse people into thinking that a mining company is producing something other than the base minerals needed by society, like zinc, nickel, cobalt, gold, and other essential raw materials. These metals occur naturally as sulfide-bearing mineral groups. When present in sufficient amounts they form a minable mineral deposit like the Back Forty. Most of the metals that we use in society today come from mineral deposits containing sulfide. There is no basis for describing zinc, copper or any other mineral mine as a sulfide mine.
SPRING 2019 DRILLING PROGRAM
Spring 2019 Drilling Program Announcement
Aquila Resources, Inc. will be conducting drilling activities at the Back Forty Project beginning around May 22nd, 2019. This program is expected to run for approximately two months, although we may extend the work.
You may see the mobilization of a core drilling rig and support equipment near the mine site during that time. We plan to access the drilling locations by using existing woodland roads and trails to reduce surface disturbance. Our drilling program will take place seven days per week but only during day-time hours while we are drilling near the Menominee River. Drilling will occur 24/7 for all other drill holes. We will not be drilling on Memorial Day or the Fourth of July holidays. As with past programs, we will use engineering controls to minimize noise as much as possible. However, when drilling nears the Menominee River, the sound will carry to nearby residents. We apologize in advance for this disturbance.
We will follow all of the conditions and requirements in our exploration permit. Any topsoil disturbed from drill site preparation will be stockpiled and used to restore sites to the natural grade. Brush and branches will be cleaned up or spread to naturalize the site, and we will reseed all disturbed areas per DNR Unit Manager’s specifications.
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us via email at info@backfortymine.wp2.adnetcms.com, call our hotline at 906-451-4192, or on our contact page.
WATER TREATMENT PROCESS
Water pollution is not an option
As a mining company, we know our environmental footprint extends beyond our fence line. The most obvious example is water, which — if managed improperly — has the potential to harm the environment. Using state of the art water treatment, process control, testing, and water management capabilities we can eliminate that potential.
Early in project development, water balance models predict the amount of water necessary versus available. Process requirements, reuse opportunities, plus historical climate and hydrological data are all taken into account. The models serve as the foundation of a water management plan, which is an integral component of mine design, operation, and closure.
In an ideal situation, you would have just the right amount of water when it is needed. In Back Forty’s case, we have more water than we can use; therefore we need to collect, treat, and discharge excess water. That means our water management plan must be tailored to reflect the needs of both the facility and the community.
As a result, our plan promotes continuous improvement in the form of minimizing water loss, efficient water usage, in-process recirculation systems, and most importantly — effective water treatment.
Our mine features an on-site, state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant (WTP) to ensure the treated water is safe for the environment, and even cleaner than the strict quality standards established in our NPDES permit. For example, our standard for mercury is 1.3 parts-per-trillion, or 0.0013 ng/L which much lower than the EPA safe drinking water standards and the average statewide observed concentrations in water bodies. The WTP is designed to treat up to 63,000 gallons of water per hour. The treated water will be reused in the mining process or discharged to the environment. The plant will begin operating during construction and continue into closure.
PROCESS DESCRIPTION
CONTACT WATER BASINS
Water that comes into contact with mining activities (e.g., mill process water, inflow to the open pit, tailings and waste rock facilities, runoff from snow and rain) will flow via gravity or pumps to lined Contact Water Basins (CWB). Design features of the CWBs include a maximum capacity of roughly 161M gallons, ability to contain a 100-year/24-hour storm event, a composite liner system, and emergency spillway to the open pit. From the CWBs, water will be pumped to the WTP to begin the treatment process.
PRECIPITATION
Treatment starts with a series of reactor tanks to remove as many dissolved solids as possible from the water. A chemical reaction within the tanks causes very fine particles to bind together to form larger particles for easier removal in the following steps.
CLARIFICATION
Here the particles, or solids, settle to the bottom of the tank. The solids are pumped to the mill to be combined with thickened tailings and sent to the tailings management facility. The water above flows to the filtration process.
FILTRATION
The water will travel through a sequence of filters to remove any fine particles remaining after the clarifier.
The first is a multimedia filter composed of elements such as sand, activated carbon, and gravel to remove solids from the water. Multimedia filters help remove suspended solids similar to how a coffee filter traps coffee grounds and allows water to pass.
Next, the water passes through a 0.1 micron cartridge filter. For a sense of scale, a human red blood cell is about 7.5 microns wide. The tiny holes in this filter allow water to move through and stop unwanted particles from continuing.
From here, water passes through another filter with adsorbent pellets designed to collect dissolved mercury. The water we discharge to the Menominee River is required to meet the quality standard of 1.3 parts-per-trillion — try to imagine a single drop in 10 million gallons of water.
Finally, water will pass through a 0.5 micron cartridge filter to prevent any remaining particles from leaving the system. From here the water is sent to the treated water tank.
TREATED WATER
The treated water storage tank will hold the water until it is reused in the mining process or discharged to the environment. Our permit allows for the release of up to 1.52 million gallons of treated water per day. The actual amount discharged will vary by the amount of water the plant receives. We will only discharge water that meets quality standards to the Menominee River. If water does not meet permit conditions, we will return it to the CWBs for re-treatment.
An on-site laboratory will analyze water quality data necessary for both operations and process control. A third-party accredited laboratory will confirm compliance with permit requirements.
MONITORING
For more than a decade, we have been studying the regional groundwater and surface water conditions. Simultaneously, we have managed a regional hydrology survey to define surface water conditions in the surrounding rivers and lakes.
Existing groundwater and surface water monitoring programs extending beyond the mine site will continue throughout operations and after mine closure. Monitoring includes water quality and the aquatic ecosystem both upstream and downstream of the discharge point to the Menominee River. Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources all determined that the conditions in our water discharge permit will protect the health of the community, wildlife and the environment — including the river.
Throughout the life of the mine, we will continue to look for ways to reduce our environmental impact. If you have additional questions or concerns, you can reach us by clicking on the Contact tab at the top of the page.
MINE LIFE CYCLE
Let's take a look at the Mining Life Cycle.
Ever wonder how mining operations work? A typical project goes through a series of different phases which we refer to as the mining life cycle, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities. Click on the categories below for a description of each phase.
In Michigan, all metallic mineral exploration and development activities on state and private property are regulated by the DEQ, including leasing and drilling. A metallic mineral lease within itself does not give a company permission to mine. If a deposit is found, separate applications and approvals will be required before mining activity can take place.
It can take years or even decades to discover a viable deposit. Geologists utilize aerial surveys, soil analysis, and drilling to determine if there is a sufficient mineral deposit to justify mining. Many factors control the economic viability of a deposit, but the most important are the grade, size, location, and demand. Exploration does mean a mine is going to be developed.
Detailed studies (e.g., feasibility study) are conducted to determine the capital requirements, community context, permitting requirements, critical environmental challenges, and other information vital in moving the project to the next step. If the outcomes yield positive results, additional research and planning will take place at a more granular level. As more information is gathered, companies gain a far greater understanding of mine plans, facility layouts, infrastructure, and environmental and social impact assessments.
All nonferrous metallic mines in Michigan are required to submit the necessary permit applications with the DEQ Office of Oil, Gas, and Minerals. The permits typically include mine, water discharge, and air. Government agencies thoroughly review each permit application and gather public input before issuing a permit. Each permit comes with conditions that must be met before, during, and after mining occurs. While these permits are a requirement for all mines, the exact details and specifications are unique for each project.
Upon receipt of permit approvals and capital investment, the project can prepare for development. Hundreds of workers will build the infrastructure required to support the operation. Examples include roads, water treatment plants, maintenance facilities, warehouses, contact water basins, and process plants. Construction of such sites is a massive undertaking and boost to the local economy. A typical project can take 15 to 20 years between discovery and construction. See what the Back Forty Mine will look post-construction here.
Mining involves extracting large amounts of rock from below the Earth’s surface. The goal is to separate the valuable minerals from the non-economical rock.
To do this, overlying rock is blasted, and the material is placed in a truck and hauled to the surface. The material that contains valuable minerals (e.g., ore) is sent to the process plant, while the non-economical material (e.g., waste rock) is taken to the temporary waste rock facility. The waste rock will be used to backfill the pit once mining ends.
In the process plant (e.g., mill) the zinc/copper/lead ore goes through a conventional process of crushing, grinding, and floatation to separate the minerals. The gold/silver ore needs a few more additional steps before the valuable minerals are captured.
When mining ceases, the site is reclaimed, and land is returned to a state compatible with adjacent properties. Examples of reclamation activities include removal of all buildings and infrastructure, capping and vegetating the tailings facility, backfilling the mine with waste rock. Postclosure monitoring lasts for 20 years following completion and approval of reclamation. The time may be shorter if the DEQ determines monitoring and maintenance activities to preserve the integrity of the area are complete. The DEQ requires an annual mining and reclamation report filed each year with the agency. The reports are available to the public.
TAILINGS MANAGEMENT FACILITY EXPLAINED
What are tailings and what is Back Forty’s management plan?
Tailings
We will process roughly 4,800 tonnes (5,300 tons) of ore per day onsite. We will use traditional crush-grind-float technology and equipment to separate zinc and gold from noneconomic rock. After removal of these valuable minerals, what remains is called tailings. Our tailings consist of particles of rock, water, and residual process chemicals (e.g., lime, copper sulfate, silica), and have the consistency of drywall mud. We will pump tailings to a double-lined tailings management facility (TMF). The TMF will cover a total footprint of 123 acres. During operation, the facility will be a maximum 118 ft tall, and after closure a maximum of 138 ft tall.
Tailings Management Facility
Water management is crucial to our design. Unlike a conventional TMF, our design is neither a pond nor does it store liquid tailings. The entire base of the TMF will be compacted and double-lined, consisting of a composite primary liner and a single secondary liner separated by a leak detection system. This lining extends under the perimeter wall and the surrounding berm. The coarse aggregate above the primary liner collects the water (e.g., residual tailings water, runoff, rain, snow) and gravity directs it to an exterior sump. We will also pump water that collects on top of the TMF to the contact water basins or the mill for reuse in the milling process. As a protective measure, if we experience an extreme storm event, an emergency spillway will channel water from the TMF into the open pit. Once mining ends, the TMF will be capped and revegetated to prevent any oxygen penetration or water percolation into the facility. Also, we will dewater tailings after capping. By doing so, the TMF will be near neutral pH and will not require perpetual care or treatment.
Performance Monitoring
Our monitoring program includes more than a dozen ongoing studies, including water balance, groundwater level and quality, perimeter wall settlement, and leak detection system analysis. Also, an engineering review by a qualified independent Geotechnical Engineer will take place on an annual basis. The performance of the facility will be reviewed closely during construction, operations, and post-closure to ensure that the design intent is being satisfied, to confirm design assumptions, and to identify any modifications that may be required.
The design mitigates known risks of traditional tailings facility construction. Similar and successful models include the Malartic Mine and the Musselwhite Mine in Canada, and the Neves Corvo Mine in Portugal. Before construction commences, EGLE will review and approve the plan.
Tailings Management Features
- Thickening tailings to 70:30 ratio of solids-to-water compared to traditional 30:70 ratio of solids-to-water.
- Reducing water in tailings recycles approximately 793M gallons of water back into the milling process on an annual basis.
- An emergency spillway channels water from the TMF into the open pit in case of an extreme storm event.
- Incorporates modern technologies and mitigates known risks of traditional TMF construction.
- Dewatering promotes tailings consolidation, increases tailings density, and extends strength characteristics of TMF.
- The entire base rests above a double-liner with a leak detection system.
- A competent and free draining perimeter wall roughly 108 ft wide made out of waste rock.
UPDATE - MINING AND COMMUNITY FOCUS GROUPS
2018 Executive Summary Report
Modern Mining and the Community: The Back Forty Mine
Dr. Tawni Hunt Ferrarini, a Professor of Economics, has published her findings from a series of focus groups that she hosted in 2018. The Mining and Community Focus Groups captured community members’ perspectives and opinions on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of mining in and around Menominee County.
Dr. Ferrarini spoke with people from both ends of the mining debate, and who come from different economic, political, social, and cultural backgrounds.
To read the Executive Summary Report, go to Dr. Ferrarini’s website.
Back Forty Mine Project Update
Advancing the Back Forty Mine
Greetings from Michael Welch, COO
As I approach my first anniversary with Aquila Resources and my time in Menominee County, I can’t help but reflect on the many valuable conversations and engagements that have taken place. There is a desire to grow the economy in the community and the region. From past travels and experiences, I truly understand that this should not come at a cost to the community, the environment, and it certainly should not compromise our commitment to zero harm.
We have secured the permits necessary to construct and operate the mine. As we move through the permit alignment process and initiate pre-construction activities, I encourage you to ask questions about issues you feel have not been satisfactorily addressed. I would also encourage you to ask your community leaders what more the presence of the operations can do to help build capacity and alternative growth opportunities within the community.
On that note, I am pleased to announce two community partnering initiatives: one with the Menominee Conservation District to bring soils and groundwater along with geology and mining education into local classrooms, and another with Menominee & Marinette Area Community Foundation to establish Children’s Savings Accounts with students entering kindergarten in Menominee County. The M&M Area Community Foundation has already grown this initiative to include other financial institutions and businesses which will enable the program to extend to Marinette County.
Our team’s commitment and dedication are integral to Back Forty’s success. I appreciate all their efforts and contributions, and I look forward to growing the team in the coming years.
From all of us at the Back Forty Mine, have a Happy New Year.
Permitting News
In November, we filed a mine permit amendment application with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Since the issuance of our original permit, we have refined elements of the design of Back Forty to align with the Feasibility Study and issued wetlands permit.
Examples of the revisions in the amendment application include a reduction in wetland impact, improved dust management, increased water storage capacity, and reduced footprint of tailings facilities post-closure. We continuously look for opportunities to minimize the potential impacts of our operations on the environment and community.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is holding a public meeting regarding the Back Forty Mine Permit Amendment Application on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. The meeting will take place from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. CST at Stephenson High School. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public that the DEQ has received an amendment application and how to access documents, provide information about the review process, and allow community members to provide comment on the amendment.
MDEQ will also accept written comments regarding the amendment application by mail or e-mail from the day of the meeting until 5:00 P.M. EST, Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Mail your comments to Back Forty Mining Permit Amendment, MDEQ-OGMD, 1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855. E-mail your comments to the designated MDEQ mailbox at DEQ- Mining-Comments@michigan.gov, including "Back Forty Mining Permit Amendment" as the subject. The MDEQ will only consider comments that pertain to the Mining Permit Amendment Application prior to making a final decision. For additional information, contact Melanie Humphrey, MDEQ, Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division, 906-250-7564, or e-mail humphreym@michigan.gov.
For more information about the meeting and amendment documents, click here.
Legal Update
On December 19, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin dismissed the Menominee Indian Tribe’s federal lawsuit challenging EPA and U.S. Army Corps’ failure to exercise jurisdiction over Aquila’s wetland permit for the Back Forty Mine. The Court dismissed the two claims in the Tribe’s original complaint and rejected the Tribe’s motion to file an amended complaint that proposed two additional claims because the amendments would be pointless. The Court held that the Tribe could not challenge the federal government’s refusal to exercise jurisdiction over the state wetland permit under the Administrative Procedures Act or the Clean Water Act.
In November, the Coalition to Save the Menominee River filed a complaint in federal court in Wisconsin. The Coalition’s claims are basically the same as those the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin recently dismissed.
There are two separate contested case hearings on the DEQ’s approval of the Back Forty mine and wetland permits.
We are confident in our position and expect a favorable resolution in all current legal proceedings.
In the Community
Back Forty employees and Nadeau Township Volunteer Fire Department members John Dziedzic (left) and Noah Poupore (right) visit Carney-Nadeau School for Fire Prevention Week. The volunteer firemen spoke to classes from PreK to fifth grade about essential steps to reduce the likelihood of having a fire and how to escape safely in the event of one.
We send out email updates on a regular basis to keep the community on top of our progress.
If you would like to receive these updates, sign up at today.
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ABOUT BACK FORTY MINE
Back Forty Mine is Aquila Resources’ 100% owned permitting stage zinc- and gold-rich mine located in Menominee County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Chantae Lessard
Director, Social Performance and Engagement
Phone (906) 250-4274
clessard@aquilaresources.com
Federal court rejects challenge to Back Forty's wetland permit
Federal court rejects Menominee Tribe’s challenge to Back Forty's wetland permit
On December 19, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin dismissed the Menominee Indian Tribe’s federal lawsuit challenging EPA and U.S. Army Corps’ failure to exercise jurisdiction over Aquila’s wetland permit for the Back Forty Mine. The Court dismissed the two claims in the Tribe’s original complaint and rejected the Tribe’s motion to file an amended complaint that proposed two additional claims because the amendments would be pointless.
The Court held that the Tribe could not challenge the federal government’s refusal to exercise jurisdiction over the state wetland permit under the Administrative Procedures Act or the Clean Water Act.
Click here for Aquila's original press release.
DEQ to host public meeting concerning permit amendment
Meeting scheduled for January 9, 2019
The DEQ issued our original mine permit in 2016. Since that time, we've refined elements of the mine design to be consistent with our feasibility study and previously issued wetland permit. Examples of the revisions in the amendment application include a reduction in wetland impact, improved dust management, increased water storage capacity, and reduced footprint of tailings facilities post-closure. We continuously look for opportunities to minimize the potential impacts of our operations on the environment and community.
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is holding a public meeting regarding the Back Forty Mine Permit Amendment Application on Wednesday, January 9, 2019. The meeting will take place from 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. CST at Stephenson High School. The purpose of the meeting is to inform the public that the DEQ has received an amendment application and how to access documents, provide information about the review process, and allow community members to provide comment on the amendment.
MDEQ will also accept written comments regarding the amendment application by mail or e-mail from the day of the meeting until 5:00 P.M. EST, Wednesday, February 6, 2019. Mail your comments to Back Forty Mining Permit Amendment, MDEQ-OGMD, 1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855. E-mail your comments to the designated MDEQ mailbox at DEQ- Mining-Comments@michigan.gov, including "Back Forty Mining Permit Amendment" as the subject. The MDEQ will only consider comments that pertain to the Mining Permit Amendment Application prior to making a final decision. For additional information, contact Melanie Humphrey, MDEQ, Oil, Gas, and Minerals Division, 906-250-7564, or e-mail humphreym@michigan.gov.
For more information about the meeting and amendment documents, click here .
Consolidated public hearing June 25, 2019
Meeting details
We have all of the permits necessary to construct and operate the Back Forty Mine. Since the issuance of our original mine permit in 2016, we have refined elements of the project design to be consistent with our feasibility study and previously issued wetland permit. The changes require us to amend both our mine and air permits and apply for a dam safety permit to ensure consistency across the permits.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is hosting a consolidated public hearing for the two permit amendments and one new permit. The hearing will be June 25, 2019, from 5:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. CDT at the Stephenson High School gymnasium, W526 Division Street, Stephenson, Michigan 49887.
The EGLE has published multiple resources concerning the permits, including:
Comments
Submit written comments using the information below.
Dam Permit
EGLE, Water Resource Division, Marquette District Office
1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Due by July 5, 2019
Air Permit to Install Modification
Ms. Annette Switzer, Permit Section Manager, EGLE, AQD
P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan, 48909-7760
Due July 23, 2019
Comments may also be submitted online. Click here, scroll to Aquila Resources Inc. - Permit to Install Application No. 205-15A, and click Submit Comment.
Mine Permit Amendment
Back Forty Project, EGLE/OGMD
1504 West Washington Street, Marquette, MI 49855
E-mail to EGLE-Mining-Comments@michigan.gov with “Back Forty Mining Permit” as the subject.
Due July 23, 2019
If you have any questions or concerns, you can reach us via email at info@backfortymine.wp2.adnetcms.com, call our hotline at 906-451-4192, or fill out our contact form here.