Two protesters are arrested at planned nickel mine
| BIG BAY, Michigan
Authorities say two protesters have been arrested at the entrance of a planned nickel mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Kennecott Eagle Minerals says it warned people to leave the site Thursday or face removal by police. Sgt. David DeRocher of the Marquette County sheriff's office says two people were arrested.
The protesters have included members of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, who believe the mine entrance would desecrate a rock outcrop that is considered sacred ground. It is on state land that Kennecott is leasing.
At times, there have been as many as 20 people camping at the site during the last month.
Kennecott believes the mine could produce as much as 300 million pounds (135 million kilograms) of nickel and about 200 million pounds (90 million kilograms) of copper. Kennecott is owned by London-based Rio Tinto PLC.
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