BackgroundThe copper mines of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula were the main supporters of the area’s economy and workforce. People immigrated to the U.P. from many different countries, including Finland, Norway, Poland, Russia, and Sweden, to find work in the blossoming copper industry. While copper is no longer mined in the area, copper still supports the Keweenaw Peninsula by providing an extensive historic experience for tourists and other visitors. From old mine shaft rockhouses to historic downtown areas, you can still see that copper mining is at the heart of the Keweenaw’s history.What is Copper? Where is it Found?Copper is a metal and an element. It is number 29 on the periodic table of elements under the abbreviation Cu. Copper is used in a lot of things you might use daily, like:
The Keweenaw (KEE-wuh-naw) Peninsula is the point on top of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Have you been there before?The Keweenaw Peninsula is known for the natural copper that used to be mined there. About 1.1 billion years ago, there was a large lava flow that formed lots of copper in the ground where the Keweenaw Peninsula is today. People have been mining this copper for thousands of years, and in the 1800s, settlers organized mines to collect and sell the copper so it could be turned into tools, decorations, and more. Learn more about copper mining in our video below! Check out the activities below!
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Last updated: January 8, 2026