Michigan officials urge rejection of land sale for mine

REXTON, Mich. (AP) - Several officials with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are urging the agency's director to reject a land sale that's part of plans to develop an Upper Peninsula limestone mine and processing facility.

The Detroit Free Press reports (http://on.freep.com/1AivtfV ) six division heads within the DNR signed a memo to Director Keith Creagh recommending rejection of the sale to Canadian company Graymont Inc.

Graymont says, however, it believes concerns raised by DNR officials can be worked out through further negotiation.

Graymont wants mining privileges on about 10,360 acres of state-owned land. The issue is to be discussed at Thursday's Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing.

A public meeting is Jan. 28 in Newberry. A decision from Creagh is expected at the earliest at the Feb. 12 NRC meeting.

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Online:

http://www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal

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Information from: Detroit Free Press, http://www.freep.com