Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company Readies Site for Mine Surface Facility Construction; Protest Group Given Alternate Location for Camp

ISHPEMING, Mich., May 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company today announced that site work to support the construction of surface facilities for the Eagle mine project has commenced on the company's leased property in north central Marquette County, Michigan. As a result, the company this morning asked a small group of six project protesters who have been camping on the site to leave the construction area as part of the company's commitment to ensuring public and worker safety. An alternate location just off the construction site has been offered for a protest campsite while construction is ongoing.

"Safety is Kennecott's utmost priority," said Jon Cherry, Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company General Manager. "Our goal is to maintain an accident-free environment and we are committed to conforming to all safety laws established by authorities and required permit conditions. Now that construction is progressing, and is occurring near and into the current camp area, it is critically important that everyone, including protesters at the site, take the safety of themselves and others seriously. Our request today is for their own safety, and for workers at the site."

Approximately 50 workers employed by several area contractors are currently active at the construction site.

The company must also comply with specific provisions of the lease it holds for the parcel of land owned by the State of Michigan. In addition to holding the lease for the purpose of the project, the lease also requires that Kennecott maintain the site in a safe, secure and sanitary condition.

The group of protesters — a combination of Native and non-native Americans — have been camping on the site since mid-April with permission from Kennecott. The company delayed completing the fence to allow campers to remain at the current location for as long as possible before making several requests earlier and throughout this week that the group leave the construction site and move their camp to another nearby location as construction progresses.

Two protesters asked to be arrested by local law enforcement, while four others left when asked to leave.

"We are relieved that this situation has been resolved safely, peacefully and without incident," said Cherry.

Along with the alternate campsite, Kennecott has also committed to campers that reasonable access to the rock would be granted, and efforts would be made to continue dialogue aimed at discussing other issues.

"We respect their right to protest and to call attention to an issue they feel is important," said Kennecott's Matt Johnson, who has met with the group at the campsite several times in recent weeks. "Their presence has made it possible for us to have conversations with them that enable us to gain a better understanding of their priorities and concerns. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: confidence that the mine will be built and managed in a way that is compatible with the U.P.'s environment and way of life. We believe that can be achieved, and are committed to working with others to ensure it."

Kennecott's preparatory work at the site has included the installation of a perimeter fence around the l00-acre parcel. Also occurring this week is the final phase of timbering and additional site clearing. Grading work is scheduled to begin next week. Also completed is Kennecott's core shed building which will be used for ongoing exploration work. Mobile contractor offices are also now in place on the construction site.

Kennecott has received all of the state permits necessary to begin its three-year construction phase of the mine and related facilities. The project, along with refurbishment of Humboldt Mill is expected to create an estimated 700 new construction and mine operations jobs in the U.P. Production of nickel and copper is expected to begin in 2013.

SOURCE Kennecott Eagle Minerals Company