Anyone from Michigan knows that the UP or Upper Peninsula was once a location for all types of mining. I have a small collection of different types of stones laced with copper and ore from the UP myself. As of late there are only two mining operations left in the UP, but quite possibly not for long.
Ever since an owner of a backwoods camp found a sparkling rock while digging for a well in Stephenson, MI six years ago, speculators for companies are exploring more than a dozen areas in the UP for mining precious metals again. The sparkling rock turned out to be zinc discovered from a nearly 2-billion-year-old-rock formation with other precious metals. So much for the faith based idea that the world is simply not that old.
On the subject of faith relative to Michigan’s prehistoric history and mining, I’ve read Stephen Collins book, THE “LOST” TEN TRIBES OF ISRAEL…FOUND! Collins is an epigrapher or reader of ancient writings prior to Greco-Roman history, which is as far back in history that the average U.S. student is taught. But ancient writings tell of many powerful and well traveled civilizations like the Phoenicians who were maritime experts and neighbors to Parthia, ruled by the Hebrews, and one of the greatest civilizations to have existed before Greece or Rome.
Collins chronicles history as he knows it from ancient writings and parallel to what is revealed in the bible. All of it coincides beautifully. What really caught my attention was the mention of Michigan in relation to the construction of King Solomon’s temple. King Solomon had smelting plants for metal used in his temple. According to Collins, at the same time the temple was under construction, there is evidence that copper mines in Michigan’s UP were completed depleted of copper, but no evidence of any structures in North America using that amount. It was more than likely mined and shipped to Mount Moriah near Jerusalem for the temple’s construction.
Solomon’s temple was believed to have been under construction prior to 1000 BC and after the bronze/iron ages with the help of Phoenician labor. Hmmmm. There was no bronze or copper left in the Mediterranean area after the Bronze Age and into the Iron Age. It had to come from somewhere else and who not to ship it from somewhere else but the Phoenicians?
Interesting, isn’t it, but I digress? Michigan may have been involved with mining since ancient times but mining is not what it used to be. It is much more invasive than times of yore. Between equipment, extraction, and dumping what is not needed anywhere and everywhere, there are fears that mining in the UP will destroy tourism with tourists looking for peaceful places to ski, hunt and fish.
We also know that all that comes out of a mine like sulfuric acid, and benzene gases are not good for the air, earth, or water. And the process itself is horribly messy, tearing up habitat, and disturbing wildlife. With cuts being made within the DEQ and the EPA, there will be few regulators to oversee the process of more than a dozen new mining ventures.
And so the question: “Is there enough precious metals and iron still left to make these new ventures worth the bad consequences of tearing up the UP in all of its wild splendor?” After all, we’re not in the practice of constructing gilded temples any longer.
Read more about current plans to mine: http://www.wxyz.com/news/local/story/U-P-May-See-New-Mining-Boom/4Xd7R-vxaE-emaCe-s8e1w.cspx
For info on Stephen Collin’s book that I think everyone of faith should read simply because it’s fascinating facts that actually support biblical history, a very good read: http://www.giveshare.org/israel/lost10tribes.html
