One year added to Eagle Mine’s life span

Rio Tinto’s Eagle Mine will be operational an additional year.

At Rio Tinto’s community forum Tuesday night, they announced the mine has found 20% more ore underground that will extend the mine’s life.

The mine’s life is now eight years, instead of seven which was previously thought.  The additional ore was found due to Rio Tinto’s continuing underground exploration.

“By finding those additional reserves, we’ve increased the mine life, which means people will be here in the community longer, paying taxes, buying homes and spending money in the community,” Dan Blondeau said, who works with Rio Tinto’s Communications and Media.

Rio Tinto also announced that they will continue to use County Roads AAA, 510 and 550 for transportation to and from the Eagle Mine.  They have signed an agreement with the Marquette County Road commission to fund upgrades to the roads.

“We will be using the current roads and existing roads for our ore transport, but we’ll continue to work with the community, local officials and the road commission to figure out the details,” Blondeau said.

Rio Tinto has been holding community forums for about three years and hosts them every sixth months.  The forum’s purpose is give the public updates on construction and other developments.

The public were able to ask questions and voice concerns over the mine’s operations, as well as take part in a community scorecard.

Rio Tinto will also host community forums in L’Anse at the American Legion (May 15), Michigamme at the Michiggamme Town Hall (May 21), and Big Bay at the Powell Township School (May 22).  All forums start at 6 p.m.