WAKEFIELD, MI (WSAU) -  While Wisconsin goes through the long process of legislation and legal challenges, neighboring Michigan has just given it’s final approval for a new mining operation.

Orvana Corporation received its final approvals from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to start digging near Wakefield Michigan, in the upper peninsula.A mining company got the last major approval it needs to start digging in the Upper Peninsula.

The company had to agree to protect wetlands, inland lakes and streams as part of its permit. It also needs to clean up old waste rock from a previous mine.

The project is expected to start soon, but no date has been announced.