Kennecott Mine: not dead yet
The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has again granted preliminary approval for a mining permit for the Kennecott Eagle Mining Co. to conduct nickel mining operations at the proposed Eagle Project Mine. It will also be conducting public hearings in September in West Branch and Lansing as part of the permitting process.

The Eagle Project mine proposes to produce nickel, copper and other metals from a small but rich metal sulfide deposit located about 25 miles northwest of Marquette. A $100 million investment is proposed. At the conclusion of the mining, Kennecott said it is addressing the concerns for the environmental impact on the area by proposing to backfill the mined-out areas with waste rock and gravel, and reclaim the area to its original condition.

The DEQ reversed a ruling it made in March, when they yanked a "proposed decision" to approve a permit for the mine after discovering two reports on the structural integrity of the mine were not properly made public of given the proper review. (From Michigan Construction News.com)

Marathon eyes $1 billion expansion
Marathon Petroleum Co. has its Detroit refinery at the top of its list for a $1 billion upgrade that would average 800 construction workers a day, peaking at 1,200. There would be 135 jobs added at the refinery.

Located on 200 acres in Southwest Detroit, the Heavy Oil Upgrade Project would allow it to process Canadian crude oil - which could lead to lower gasoline prices in Michigan. The project would expand the refinery's capacity to 115,000 barrels per day, from 100,000 barrels.

Marathon is also said to be considering doing the work in Minnesota and Illinois, but the Detroit location has the best proximity to Canada. The Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council has sent letters to Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Council President Kenneth Cockrel, encouraging them to support the 17-acre expansion of the refinery.

One of the main obstacles to overcome is the environmental impact of the expansion, although planners say emissions in the expanded refinery in 2011 would be lower than they were in 2004.

AFL-CIO: member unions free to back candidates
A July 3rd decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has struck down the last challenge blocking the construction of the $270 million Firekeepers Casino in Emmett Township, near Battle Creek.

To rise on a 78-acre site, the facility is to be built by the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of Potawatomi Indians on property located near I-94 and 11 Mile Road. The tribe says it expects to break ground on the project this coming fall. Completion is being expected within 12 months.

Full House Resorts, Las Vegas, Nevada, has said it will be handling the facility's design and construction. The project has been opposed by a group known as the Citizens Exposing Truth About Casinos for about eight years. (From MichiganConstructionNews.com)

More schools get 'responsible'
CHICAGO (PAI) - The AFL-CIO Executive Council turned its member unions loose to make presidential primary endorsements, saying the federation "decided not to proceed with a decision process that would lead to
support for a single candidate at this time."

In a statement approved by the council on August 8 in Chicago, the day after it hosted a debate between
seven Democratic hopefuls, the federation praised all the contenders and said "trade unionists met with the next
president of the United Sates and six other candidates."

"There is no consensus," federation Political Director Karen Ackerman told reporters. She added there may
not be one until after the huge round of primaries on Feb. 5.

The council said "the candidates competing for the nomination of the Democratic Party are far
more likely to advocate positions in support of working families than are the candidates seeking the
nomination of the Republican party."