MARQUETTE, MI (AP)-- An environmental group says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has rejected its challenge to a nickel and copper mine in Marquette County.
The group Save the Wild U.P. says the EPA's Appeals Board declined to act on its challenge to a groundwater discharge permit for the Eagle Mine. The group reports the appeals board says the appeal should go to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.
Save the Wild U.P. says the state's water permit fails to adequately protect the Salmon Trout River.
Toronto-based Lundin Corp. owns the mine, and company spokesman Dan Blondeau says it will discharge only safe water.
Lundin said this month that it's found a high-grade ore deposit near the Marquette County site.