AP reported that opponents of a planned nickel and copper mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula are asking a judge to put a state issued permit for the project on hold ahead of initial blasting.

Four organizations have asked a judge to issue a stay while considering an appeal of the Department of Environmental Quality's 2007 decision to grant Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co a permit to build and operate the mine.

Kennecott Eagle is targeting a Marquette County underground ore deposit that would be the only US mine where nickel is the primary mineral generated instead of a byproduct.

The stay was requested by the National Wildlife Federation, the Huron Mountain Club, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve.

Mr Matt Johnson spokesman at Kennecott Eagle said that blasting is to begin this fall.

(Sourced from Associated Press)