The first of three planned protests against the back forty mine this week near Menominee happened tonight during the Menominee City Council Meeting.

Tomorrow their will be a protest at the Ogden Club at 4:30 and on Earth Day, this Saturday there is a protest starting at Stephenson Island in Marinette at 11:30 a.m.

Aquilla Resources Inc. has been working on an open pit sulfide mine for the last ten years, they’ve already spent $70 million according to the company.

The plan is to dig for gold, copper, zinc and silver in an 83 acre mine located within fifty yards of the Menominee River.

That has created backlash with people worried about the possible pollution of the river and Lake Michigan if something goes wrong, the Menominee Tribe also considers the area sacred land.

Proponents for the mine say that the mine would create jobs and a give an a big boost to the local economy.

The Michigan Department of Equality has approved three of the four permits required before Aquilla can start digging, the final permit is expected to be the hardest and focuses surrounding wetlands, inland lakes and streams.

A previous permit was rejected after it was ruled incomplete, mine protestors say they will contest the last permit that was approved and show no signs of giving up the fight.

The Menominee City Council has no jurisdiction over the mine, but protestors say they are trying to raise awareness anyway they can.