Mining company submits new license application, proposes fewer exploration drilling sites
May 16, 2013
Ann Coakley, 608-516-2492
MADISON – Today Gogebic Taconite, LLC, withdrew their May 9 exploration license application and submitted a replacement application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.
According to Ann Coakley, DNR’s Waste and Materials Management director, the company is now proposing to drill only eight exploration borings rather than the 13 they had originally proposed in their first application.
Company officials indicated they removed five of the original 13 boreholes to gather additional information needed to appropriately address stormwater issues in accordance with applicable regulations. The need for additional information on the five drilling sites was identified during a May 14 site visit by DNR staff to inspect the proposed drilling locations and access roads.
The department will review the new application and has 10 business days to make a decision. Gogebic Taconite may apply for a license to conduct additional exploration borings in the future.
The new application is available on the Gogebic Taconite Project webpage.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Coakley, 608-516-2492