Metallic Mining and Reclamation in Michigan: Environmental Management as a Gentler Approach

Abstract

This article reviews Michigan’s Mine Reclamation Act as it pertains to metallic mining, describes the environmental effects of iron and copper mining, outlines the weaknesses of the Act, and proposes changes to improve the Act. The article also explains that comprehensive environmental management of land disturbances from metallic mining is a desirable approach to problems usually dealt with through reclamation laws.

Keywords: Michigan, metallic mining, iron mining, copper mining, reclamation, environmental law, surface mining, underground mining, regulation

JEL Classification: L72, Q20, Q28, K32, R52