UPDATED: PUBLIC NOTICE: DNR to hold virtual public meeting on Aquila mineral lease application Nov. 23

 

UPDATE: This map shows the parcels included in the direct metallic mineral leases Aquila Resources USA Inc has requested from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Click here for a larger map. (Map courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

LANSING -- Aquila Resources USA Inc, of Stephenson, Michigan, has requested direct, metallic mineral leases from the state of Michigan covering the following described Department of Natural Resources metallic mineral rights located within Holmes Township and Lake Township, Menominee County, Michigan, containing 1988 acres, more or less, further described as follows:

Leasable Development
T35N, R28W, Section 5, S1/2 SW1/4; SW1/4 SE1/4 (120 acres m/l); Section 8,
NE1/4; N1/2 NW1/4; SE1/4 NW1/4 (280 acres m/l)

Leasable Development with Restrictions
T36N, R28W, Section 32, S1/2 S1/2 (160 acres m/l)
T35N, R28W, Section 4, W1/2 W1/2 (166 acres m/l); Section 5, N1/2; N1/2 S1/2; SE1/4 SE1/4 (542 acres m/l); Section 6, SE1/4 (160 acres m/l); Section 7, NE1/4; NE1/4 NW1/4 (200 acres m/l); Section 8, SW1/4 NW1/4 (40 acres m/l)
T35N, R29W, Section 12, NE1/4; NE1/4 SW1/4, SE1/4 NW1/4 (240 acres m/l)

Leasable Nondevelopment
T35N, R28W, Section 6, NE1/4 SW1/4 (40 acres m/l)
T35N, R29W, Section 1, SE1/4 SE1/4 (40 acres m/l)

If approved by DNR, a lease to Aquila Resources USA Inc would grant the exclusive right to explore for the presence of metallic minerals in the described areas. A lease alone does not grant a lessee a right to mine.

UPDATE: Click here for a Parcel Classification Report.

Virtual informational public meeting

The DNR Minerals Management Section will hold a virtual informational public meeting regarding the lease application from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST (Noon to 3 p.m. CST) on Tuesday, November 23, 2021. Interested parties may join the meeting by going to
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/497847189230147852. Based upon the necessary technology to conduct a virtual meeting and offer two-way communication for public comment, registration is required for those who desire to provide public comment during the meeting.* Should you not want to provide public comment and desire to only observe the meeting anonymously, or if you do not have internet access, please use the phone option by dialing 1(631)992-3221 and using access code 614-394-882. This meeting will be recorded, and the recording will be made available to the public at Michigan.gov/Minerals.

UPDATED: A multi-agency panel will respond to written questions from the public regarding the lease application during this meeting. Questions may be submitted to DNR, Minerals Management Section, P.O. Box 30452, Lansing, MI 48909 or DNR-LeaseManagement@michigan.gov. Please include Aquila in the subject line. Written questions received by November 18, 2021, will be addressed during the meeting; questions received after November 18, 2021, will be answered via email.  Additional questions and comments will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2021. 

The meeting will also include a public comment period. Anyone wishing to participate in the public comment portion of the meeting will be allowed two minutes to speak.**

Editor's Notes:

* From Dale Burie, President of the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River to those who register to join the meeting online: "You will receive a confirmation of your Registration from Kirk Lapham of the DNR Minerals Division. In that email you will find a "Join the Webinar" box. On November 23, click on the box to enter the Meeting. This DNR decision could be the turning point of the entire Aquila effort to transfer their interests in the Back Forty mining project to Gold Resources. We need your help to stop the renewal of Aquila's mineral leases." (While not mentioned in the above public notice, this is a renewal of Aquila's leases that are expiring.)

** Dale Burie adds that the Coalition to SAVE the Menominee River has provided, on their Web site, a page for concerned persons to submit comments opposing DNR renewal of the above-mentioned Aquila Mineral Rights. CLICK HERE to fill out an easy form with your comments that the Coalition will forward to DNR decision makers. You do not have to be a resident of Michigan to comment.