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Gogebic Taconite’s Proposed Iron Mine (USA) *** WITHDRAWN *** See Foxconn Project
Gogebic Taconite, proposal in Iron and Ashland Counties, Wisconsin, USA
This proposal is being watched for its mega size (proposed mining site boundary is 6,744 acres with 3,122 disturbance acres, which means 4 miles long and 1,000 feet deep) and possible impact on Lake Superior.
Opposition points out that the plans for two pits, the waste rock and adjacent processing plant would cause irreparable harm to the watershed that cuts through the Bad River band of Lake Superior Chippewa’s land and empties into Lake Superior.
Proponents tout the anticipated 35 year operation timeline, 700 employees and 2,800 spin-off jobs in transportation, housing and other sectors. The mine would rank behind We Energy’s Oak Creek power plant as the largest private investment in state history.
Proponents: Scott Walker, Governor, Operating Engineers Local 139 union
Opposition: environmental groups, Chippewa First Nations
*** UPDATE: March 2015 – project withdrawn ***
Timeline
|
Date |
Event |
|
2013-06-17 |
Gogebic Taconite sends letter to Wisconsin Dept of Natural Resources & US Army Corps of Engineers serving notice that the company intends to file an application for a mining permit within 12 months. |
|
2014 |
Field work underway. Roads were built and rock samples taken. |
|
2014-08 |
Gogebic announced delay, needs more preliminary work (planned application pushed back from spring 2015 to autumn. |
|
2015 |
Gogebic expected to return to the field to gather date re: the mine’s potential effect on streams and groundwater (article) |
|
|
After application is filed, regulators have one year to consider. |
|
2015-02-27 |
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|
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News
|
Date |
Source |
Title |
Comment |
|
2017-08-31 |
The Courier |
Proposal to remove 20 year moratorium on mining for non-iron minerals |
|
|
2016-09-22 |
Northlandnewscenter.com |
President of Gogebic Taconite convicted and fined for water pollution |
Associated Press |
|
2016-06-22 |
Ashland Daily Press |
'Ringside Seat' offers first-hand look at Wisconsin politics |
Rick Olivo - Tim Cullen |
|
2016-02-01 |
Wisconsin Public Radio |
Danielle Kaeding |
|
|
2016-01-29 |
Wisconsin Public Radio |
Danielle Kaeding |
|
|
2015-08-02 |
Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel |
Lee Bergquist |
|
|
2015-03-30 |
Wisconsin Gazette |
Sierra Club urges Wisconsin lawmakers to repeal Gogebic mining law |
|
|
2015-03-30 |
Mining-technology.com |
Gogebic Taconite withdraws from $1.5bn ferrous mining project in Wisconsin |
|
|
2015-02-28 |
Wisconsin State Journal |
Gogebic Taconite says Wisconsin mine isn't feasible; cites wetlands, EPA |
Steven Verburg |
|
2015-02-27 |
Duluth News Tribune |
John Myers |
|
|
2015-02-25 |
Duluth News Tribune |
Danielle Kaeding |
|
|
2015-02-24 |
WXPR.org |
Natalie Jablonski |
|
|
2015-02-07 |
Duluth News Tribune |
Abundance of wetlands leads Gogebic to shift strategy for mine |
Lee Bergquist, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |
|
2015-02-01 |
Wisconsin State Journal |
Locals fear Gogebic Taconite pullout as mine work drops into slow gear |
Steven Verburg |
|
2015-01-28 |
Superior Telegram |
Iron County grants GTAC extension on lease agreement payment |
Danielle Kaeding |
|
2015-01-24 |
Your Daily Globe |
Cortney Ofstad |
|
|
2015-01-24 |
Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel |
- nine months in jail for Katie Kloth |
|
|
2015-01-22 |
WTAQ.com |
Protester sentenced for vandalism incident at Gogebic Taconite site |
- nine months in jail for Katie Kloth |
|
2014-10-20 |
Wxpr.org |
Natalie Jablonski |
|
|
2014-10-16 |
PolitiFact Wisconsin |
Americans for Prosperity says workers are getting high-paying mining jobs because of Scott Walker |
James B. Nelson - false advertising by industry? |
|
2014-10-06 |
Cap Times |
Bill Berry: For environment, Scott Walker worst gov by a long shot |
Bill Berry |
|
2014-09-28 |
Cap Times |
Gogebic mine owners delay Wisconsin application as iron ore prices plunge |
Mike Ivey |
|
2014-09-11 |
Daily Press (USA) |
GTAC finds more wetlands than it initially expected in Penokees |
Mike Simonson |
|
2014-09-07 |
Postcrescent.com |
- $700,000 via Wisconsin Club for Growth |
|
|
2014-09-05 |
Wisconsin State Journal |
Open more Gogebic Taconite mining land, hunters implore Wisconsin DNR |
Steven Verburg - mine company is still using 3,200 acre property |
|
2014-09-04 |
Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel |
Lee Bergquist - Gogebic Taconite – seeking permission to construct a $1.5 billion 3,200 acre open pit iron ore mine in Northern Wisconsin - Ashland County (400 acres) not agreeable
|
|
|
2014-09-04 |
Woods Person Blog |
Woods Person |
|
|
2014-09-01 |
Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel |
Lee Bergquist
|
|
|
2014-09-01 |
Forests.org |
Petition: Potential Gogebic Mining Bribe worthy of investigation |
- Gogebic Taconite - Proposed iron mine could have impact on Lake Superior Link to Penokee Hills Education Project Link to Nature.org report (.pdf)
|
More Information:
Link to AWARE-Ontario Mining News
Return to AWARE-Ontario.ca Home Page
List of Ontario’s Issues
Disclaimer: This information has been compiled through private amateur research for the purpose of allowing the reader to make an informed and educated decision. However, while the information is believed to be reliable, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
APPENDICES
https://awareontario.nfshost.com/AWARE-Ontario/Issues/Mng_Gogebic/Gogebic_Overview.htm
APPENDIX A
The general term “mining” in Wisconsin includes frack sand mines operating in about 20 counties in the west and northwest. The state Department of Natural Resources says there are now 140 mines, processing plants and rail sites for sand mining in the state. That compares with five mines and five processing plants in 2010, shortly before Scott Walker took office. (source)