Correction: Upper Peninsula Mine story

MENOMINEE, Mich. (AP) - In a story Feb. 1 about a mine project under development in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, The Associated Press, relying on information from radio station WYKX-WDBC, reported erroneously that Aquila Resources Inc. expects to be mining by the end of 2016. CEO Barry Hildred says the company expects to be ready to begin constructing the mine by the end of 2016.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Company secures financing to continue plans for UP mine

Company says it has secured financing to continue seeking permits for Upper Peninsula mine

MENOMINEE, Mich. (AP) - A company that plans to develop a gold and zinc mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula says it has secured financing to continue the process of obtaining permits.

Aquila Resources Inc. says it has reached an agreement with Orion Mine Finance to provide $20.75 million for the next stage of developing the Back Forty project in Menominee County.

Radio station WYKX-WDBC reports that the company has already spent more than $60 million exploring a mineral-rich volcanic belt in the southern U.P.

Aquila took 100 percent ownership of the project last year. Communications Director Robin Quigley says the company expects to be ready to begin constructing the mine by the end of 2016.

The company expects to produce more than 15 million tons of ores that could include gold, silver, zinc, copper and lead.