LANSING — Highland Copper is advancing key engineering milestones at its proposed Copperwood Mine in Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula while awaiting final approval of a $50 million grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund.
The grant, previously halted twice by the Michigan Senate Appropriations Committee, remains under active consideration through late July. Highland Copper has also supported a parallel $50 million infrastructure funding request submitted through Wakefield Township. Company officials say only one of the two grants would be issued if approved.
On July 2, the company announced it had awarded front-end engineering and design (FEED) contracts to three firms: DRA Global for mine infrastructure, Foth Infrastructure & Environment for water systems, and Tetra Tech for the tailings facility. Phase one of the FEED process is expected to conclude in Q3, with detailed designs 85% complete by Q1 2026.
In May, Highland completed a metallurgical drilling program to refine ore processing techniques. The Copperwood deposit sits near Porcupine Mountains State Park and Lake Superior, drawing environmental opposition.
Company officials say a final investment decision could come in early 2026, pending funding, engineering completion, and permitting. Environmental groups continue lobbying lawmakers to reject public subsidies.