What is sulfide mining and why does it pose a threat to water?
Sulfide mining differs greatly from the oxide rock mining that has historically been done in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. When mining activities expose sulfide bearing rock to air and water it decomposes releasing among other chemicals, sulfuric acid which causes acid mine drainage and heavy metal acid rain. In short, sulfide mining and water don’t mix it is a time bomb especially in a water rich environment like Michigan. Acid mine drainage percolates through the groundwater and can cause irreparable damage decades after the mines have played out and closed and the nearby towns have become ghost towns. Sulfide mines dating back to Roman times are still leaking acid drainage some 2000 years later. The sulfide bearing rock ore body being explored runs from Northern Minnesota, to Wisconsin to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and down into the tip of Michigan’s mitten. In fact mining companies have been buying up the mineral rights for thousands of acres of land in Michigan and the Upper Great L
