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.
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 .
WOULD FLOODING OF THE MENOMINEE RIVER IMPACT THE MINE?
STEPHENSON, Mich. Jan. 29, 2018 – Flooding will not impact the Back Forty Mine. The mine is located on a small bluff above the Menominee River, outside of the 100-year floodplain. A 100-year flood is an event that has the probability of occurring once in 100 years. If such an event were to happen, studies suggest the river would reach roughly 10 feet below the top of the bluff. Also, if we experience an extreme storm event, an emergency spillway will channel water from site to the contact water basins and the open pit. The basins alone can hold 161 million gallons of water.
Since water takes the path of least resistance, it would likely spread out into Wisconsin and downriver. The MDEQ has provided a FAQ regarding the Menominee River Floodplain and the Back Forty Mine. You can access the entire FAQ on the MDEQ website.
If you have a topic for our blog, please email your idea to info@backfortymine.wp2.adnetcms.com.
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.