The company building a nickel and copper mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula said that it will pay USD 300,000 a year for independent reporting on how the operation is affecting the environment.

Rio Tinto Eagle Mine and two community groups announced a plan on September 13th 2012 to monitor the mine site in rural Marquette County, an ore processing mill about 25 miles away and transportation routes.

The Marquette County Community Foundation will establish a board overseeing the monitoring by the nonprofit Superior Watershed Partnership.

Mr Carl Lindquist group executive director of Marquette County Community Foundation said that it will track air, groundwater and surface water quality, as well as plants and wildlife.

Rio Tinto spokesman Mr Simon Nish said that it already does environmental monitoring but the project will increase public trust.

Source - Associated Press

(www.steelguru.com)