Miners examine a round of explosives before a planned blast at Eagle Mine. (Photo courtesy of Eagle Mine)

BIG BAY — An Upper Peninsula underground mine that employs 475 people is looking to expand its hunt for valuable minerals through an exploration drilling partnership.

Eagle Mine has teamed up with Talon Metals Corp. to drill for copper and nickel at Boulderdash, located about eight miles northwest of the mine site in Big Bay.

“The expertise and success of Talon’s exploration program, combined with Eagle Mine’s development and operational experience, presents an opportunity to invest in our employees and the future prosperity of our local communities,” said Eagle Mine managing director Darby Stacey. “While exploration itself does not immediately create new jobs, if drilling results indicate a viable resource and a mine is developed in the future, it could lead to long-term job opportunities. Expanding our operations would support both direct mining jobs and indirect employment in local businesses, services and supply chains.”

Eagle Mine is currently the only operating nickel mine in the country.

Lundin Mining Corporation, Eagle Mine’s parent company, will finance the drilling operation in exchange for an earn-in agreement in the potential resources identified.

The partnership agreement between Talon, which is located in Minnesota, and Lundin Mining will allow Lundin the right to acquire up to a 70% ownership interest in the Boulderdash exploration properties.

Talon has already identified copper and nickel mineralization at the Boulderdash site.

“Mining nickel and copper is critical because these metals are essential to infrastructure, manufacturing and everyday products that keep our modern life running. Their durability, corrosion resistance and conductivity make them irreplaceable in many applications,” Stacey said.

Drilling activities at Boulderdash will begin this spring and continue through the summer or fall, depending on the success of the exploration.