Kennecott Minerals has announced that they are ready to begin building a nickel mine near Marquette, Michigan, US. The company told state regulators it has all the necessary permits, and the Department of Natural Resources and Environment says they can go ahead and construct the mine. But the move caught federal officials at the Environmental Protection Agency by surprise. Geologist Mr Steve Roy said that the EPA has not decided yet whether Kennecott needs a permit to release treated wastewater into the ground. But he says that wouldn’t necessarily keep the company from getting started. In early March 2010, Kennecott changed the design of its infiltration system so the pipes are above ground instead of buried. That’s why the company figures it does not need an underground injection permit.