Project Overview

Built on History. Planned for the Future.

White Pine Copper is advancing pre-feasibility planning for a proposed underground copper and silver project near White Pine, Michigan. Current work includes engineering studies, environmental review, water management planning, and infrastructure evaluation to support sustainable, efficient, and responsible long-term development.

The project builds on the area’s historic mining footprint while incorporating modern underground mining methods and water management solutions with updated environmental systems.

Project at a Glance

The numbers below are based on pre-feasibility estimates.

The project is now moving into advanced technical, environmental, and engineering development.

26

Year Mine Life

800

Estimated Jobs

$350+

Million in Severance Taxes

15,000

Metric Tons Mined Per Day

Project Development

Historic Mine with Modern Opportunities

White Pine Copper is progressing through advanced technical and environmental evaluation as part of the pre-feasibility process.

Completed Development Activities Include:

  • Infill drilling and resource confirmation

  • Engineering and trade-off studies

  • Metallurgical testing programs

  • Hydrology and groundwater modeling

  • Environmental baseline studies

  • Infrastructure and site layout planning

Permit applications are anticipated to be submitted in Q3 2026 as the project advances toward feasibility-level development.

Stewardship in Many Forms

  • Geology

    Mining Below. Protecting Above.

    The project is located within Keweenawan rift-related sedimentary rocks on the southern flank of the Midcontinent Rift System.

    Copper mineralization occurs predominantly as chalcocite but native copper is also present in the shale subunits of the Nonesuch Formation. The mineralization is the result of copper-rich hydrothermal brines, sourced from the underlying Portage Lake Volcanics, flowing through pyrite-bearing shale.

    Extensive exploration and infill drilling have occurred to define the orebody and support development of the mine and ground support plans, and resource modeling.

  • Environmental Planning

    Protecting Our Resources.

    Extensive baseline studies have been completed to better understand existing site and regional conditions. This information supports permitting, infrastructure design, and long-term environmental management.

    Study areas include:

    • Wetlands and streams

    • Groundwater and surface water

    • Fish and aquatic systems

    • Wildlife and habitat characterization

    • Noise, vibration, and lighting

    • Soil and geochemistry

    • Hydrology and groundwater modeling

  • Water Management

    Responsible Water Stewardship.

    The project design includes a comprehensive water management strategy intended to separate, collect, recycle, treat, and monitor water throughout operations.

    Key components being evaluated include:

    • Separation of contact and non-contact water

    • Lined collection systems

    • Water recycling within operations

    • Long-term monitoring and environmental controls

    The water treatment plant is being designed to include Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) technology including reverse osmosis filtration, evaporation, crystallization, and remineralization to increase recycling capabilities and decrease the volume of treated water discharged to the environment.

  • Tailings Management

    Reusing Existing Facilities

    The project plans to utilize paste thickened tailings and reuse existing tailings facilities already located within the historic industrial footprint.

    This approach is intended to:

    • Reduce new surface disturbance

    • Minimize impacts to nearby wetlands and streams

    • Keep tailings storage within the current footprint

    • Avoid expansion of existing tailings dams

    • Minimize the volume of water managed within the tailings facilities

  • Mining Operations

    Proven Underground Mining Methods

    White Pine Copper is planned as an underground mining operation using room-and-pillar mining methods.

    The proposed mine design includes:

    • A new portal entrance with underground access declines provides separation from historic mine workings

    • Modern underground ventilation systems

    • Conveyor haulage to surface facilities

    • Latest technologies for mining equipment

    Underground mining allows the project to access mineral resources while limiting the overall surface footprint compared to large open-pit operations.

  • Surface Operations

    Brownfield Redevelopment

    The project includes plans for onsite mineral processing facilities designed to produce a combined copper and silver concentrate.

    Processing activities under evaluation include: crushing, grinding, flotation, and filtration.

    Additional infrastructure planning includes:

    • Water treatment facilities

    • Maintenance and administration buildings

    • Stormwater management systems

    • Utility and power infrastructure

    • Conveyance systems

    • Ore storage facilities

  • Transportation

    Integrated Logistics Systems

    Copper concentrate produced onsite is currently planned to be trucked from the project area to regional rail transfer facilities for shipment to processing locations.

    Transportation and logistics planning is being evaluated alongside broader infrastructure and operational studies as part of the pre-feasibility process.

  • Community

    Creating Lasting Partnerships

    White Pine Copper is committed to ongoing communication with local communities, stakeholders, and regional partners throughout project development.

    Current outreach efforts include:

    • Community meetings and updates

    • Local surveys and feedback opportunities

    • Socioeconomic assessment work

    • Workforce and training discussions

    • Regional partnership engagement

    Thoughtful planning and transparent communication are central to responsible project development.

  • Permitting

    Responsible Land Use

    The Project is located entirely on private land.

    The permits currently required for the Project are administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

    White Pine Copper expects to obtain the following principal State permits:

    • Part 632 Nonferrous Metallic Mining Permit

    • Part 55 Air Permit to Install

    • Part 31 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit

    • Part 303 Wetlands Permit

    • Part 315 Dam Safety Permit (tailings storage facility)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • White Pine Copper LLC is a U.S.-based company controlled by Kinterra Battery Metals Mining Fund, LP, a private investment fund.

  • White Pine Copper is fully funded through Final Investment Decision (FID) following a recent $75 million investment. Additional project financing required for construction will be secured as part of the development process.

  • White Pine Copper is committed to working with local planning organizations, economic development organizations, and local governments to identify practical housing solutions. Housing needs and solutions will be evaluated in greater detail during the Feasibility Study (FS).

  • The Project is expected to support approximately 800 full-time jobs during operations.

  • No. White Pine Copper is not affiliated with the historic White Pine Mine. The Project will be developed using new underground workings and access tunnels designed in accordance with modern mining practices and current standards for safety, water management, and environmental protection.

  • White Pine Copper plans to submit the required State permit applications in H2 2026. The FS is expected to commence shortly thereafter and will advance the Project into the next stage of development. The FS is anticipated to take approximately 12 to 18 months and will culminate in completed Front-End Engineering and Design, supporting a targeted FID in 2028.

  • Refining and smelting options in North America will be evaluated during the FS.

  • Copper is one of the world's most important industrial metals. Its largest application is electrical wiring because of its excellent electrical conductivity. Copper is also widely used in plumbing, transportation, construction, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, and industrial equipment. It is also a key component of common alloys such as brass and bronze.

  • White Pine Copper expects to obtain the following principal State permits:

    • Part 632 Nonferrous Metallic Mining Permit

    • Part 55 Air Permit to Install

    • Part 31 National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit

    • Part 303 Wetlands Permit

    • Part 315 Dam Safety Permit (tailings storage facility)

  • The permits currently required for the Project are administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).