Mining officials visit White Pine

WHITE PINE — Highland Copper Company and Kinterra Capital Corp. officials visited the site of a planned White Pine North mining project on Aug. 17.

The visit was “a significant step forward” in developing the copper mining project, according a release from Highland, adding officials are working to obtain the required state permits.

Site preparation is expected to begin in 2025. Construction of the mine is planned to begin in 2026, with an anticipated start of production in 2029, said the release.

“The visit was an opportunity for Kinterra to learn more about the project and its opportunities, and to meet with local stakeholders to continue the ongoing conversations between Highland and the community,” said the release.

Kinterra Capital, a private equity firm, recently paid Highland $30 million for a 66% stake in the White Pine North project.

The White Pine North has the potential to produce up to 2.1 billion pounds of copper, making it a “critical source” of copper for the United States, said the release.

The project is also expected to create significant local tax revenue and business spending during its estimated 23-year mine life, plus create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation, said the release.

“We are excited about Kinterra’s visit to the White Pine North project and the opportunity for them to learn more about this important project,” said Denis Miville-Deschênes, President and CEO of Highland Copper. “We believe that White Pine has the potential to be a major economic driver for the Upper Peninsula, and we are committed to working with Kinterra and the community to ensure that the project is developed responsibly and sustainably.”

The project covers approximately 11,000 acres of surface rights and approximately 29,615 acres of mineral rights, said the release.

The former White Pine mine was in production from 1953 through 1995. By the time it closed, over 4.5 billion pounds of copper had been produced from the mine. In July 2021, Highland Copper completed the acquisition of the White Pine North project from Copper Range Company.

Highland Copper Company, a Canadian company, owns the Copperwood deposit through long-term mineral leases and 34% of the White Pine North project.

For more information, visit highlandcopper.com or kinterracapital.com.

—Larry Holcombe