Coastal Environments: Mine Discharges and Infringements on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights

Over a century ago, copper mills on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Lake Superior sluiced 64 million metric tonnes (MMT) tailings into coastal waters, creating metal-rich “halo”. Here we show that relatively small discharges can spread widely in time and space. Mass Mill (2.9 MMT) dumping also illustrates complexity interactions with Indigenous Peoples. A combination aerial photos, LiDAR, microscope technique for distinguishing end-member particles traces migration tailings. The clay fraction rapidly across Bay curled terminal L’Anse Bay, within tribal Reservation boundaries. coarse stamp sand moved more slowly southward as beach deposit onto Sand Point, sacred burial ground. Despite partial recovery northern beaches southern sediments, concerns continue about chemical contamination. provides an excellent example Peoples’ territorial resource issues mining. major difficulty “legacy” is there are no longer any “responsible parties”. Initially, federal state officials were fearful treaty rights might warrant reparations. Recently, multiple agency/state funding programs supported international (IJC) award-winning restoration efforts by members, illustrating how Peoples governments work together to safeguard rights.