A proposed Upper Peninsula nickel and copper mine is tied up in the courts as a result of local tribal claims that the mine will be blasted into a sacred site.

The Keewenaw Bay Indian Community and the National Wildlife Federation are challenging the project. They claim the operation threatens Eagle Rock, a sacred site for Anishinaabe people, the Capital New Service reports in this story.

Mining officials say they are trying to better understand the concerns.  The Eagle mine is 25 miles northwest of Marquette.

Matthew Fletcher, director of the Indigenous Law and Policy Center at Michigan State University is quoted saying:  “If the tribal interests win, it will be virtually unprecedented. My suspicion is that this isn’t going to go anywhere. It is probably a strong case, but the law is rabidly anti-tribal.” Fletcher said a stronger case would be environmental concerns. The courts are more likely to respond favorably.  Read more: Sacred Claims