20-mile open pit mine proposed upstream of Great Lakes Basin largest undisturbed wetland

[Scuba]

http://www.jsonline.com/business/119665664.html

<snip>

Gogebic Taconite of Hurley plans to release on Tuesday a report that says that the large open pit iron ore mine would create 700 mining jobs; and stimulate more than 2,800 jobs in a 12-county region.

The mine - directly and indirectly - would generate an estimated $604 million annually for the regional economy, the report says.
The mine could operate at least 35 years.

<end snip>

followed by blog post by Penokee Rambler: "This proposed mine is just south of the Kakagon / Bad river slough. The site is
directly in the watershed of the largest undisturbed wetland system in the whole great lakes basin. The first phase mine is to be an open pit twenty miles long running from Mellen to Upson and removing 3.5 billion tons of taconite. This will not be an unseen underground mine it will be a huge hole the damage will be permanent.

[Skidmore]

1. WTF is wrong with these people?

[mod mom]

8. Just like allowing fracking to contaminate our drinking water-it's insanity!

[liberal N proud]

2. Isn't that part of Wisconsin big tourist area

With many state parks and proximity to the lake shore?

What is wrong with making a living on the natural wonders above ground and not the natural resources below?

[Brickbat]

4. Mining jobs pay a hell of a lot better than tourism jobs.

[AdHocSolver]

13. The mining company will get that high pay back when...

they charge the miners for hauling in drinkable water once the pollution spreads.

[AdHocSolver]

14. Meanwhile, thousands who rely on those "poorly" paying tourist jobs...

will lose their livelihoods. That seems like a fair trade off...NOT!

[Brickbat]

3. I'd like to see a copy of the plan where it talks about an "open pit 20 miles long."

[Scuba]

5. Yeah, me too. The "open-pit" description is in the article....

...I took the 20-mile figure from a blogger comment. I'll keep digging.

[Brickbat]

11. Here's the report referenced.

http://businessnorth.posterous.com/report-details-economic-impact-of-nw-wisconsi

There's nothing about the physical footprint of the mine. I find it disappointing that they think they'll be transporting by truck. That makes no sense to me whatsoever.

[Divernan]

6. Big Mining moving in now that WI has GOP Governor/legislature

In an interview, J. Matthew Fifield, managing director of the Cline Group, a privately held mining company in Palm Beach Beach Gardens, Fla., said that officials hope to start in 2014, but only after completing an extensive environmental review and permit process. Fifield cautioned the date is optimistic, and said the process could take years longer.

Gogebic has an option for the mineral rights of an area where iron ore reserves have been known to exist for years.

Environmental objections are sure to be raised. A proposed zinc and copper mine near Crandon was under fire from environmentalists for years until developers backed out in 2003.

"Wisconsin's not known as a very mine-friendly state," Fifield said.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

That environmental review and permitting process will be a LOT quicker under Wisconsin's GOP governor, and should citizens go to court to challenge anything, the court's makeup, depending on the outcome of the recent, challenged election, will make the critical difference. The article says the first phase will last 35 years, and there is a second phase under consideration.

[eowyn_of_rohan]

7. VERY bad idea...

Walker excited by mine proposal
by Andrew Beckett on November 17, 2010

Wisconsin Governor-elect Scott Walker says he’s excited by the possibility of a new mining project in the northern part of the state.

Gogebic Taconite is developing plans for an open pit iron ore mine spanning parts of Ashland(solid blue county), and Iron Counties. Walker says it’s an opportunity to create new jobs in an area of the state where they are badly needed. He says this type of project could create a lot of long term gains for workers, with jobs that could go on for generations.

Still, Walker says there’s clearly a lot of work that has to be done before the project can move ahead. In meeting with developers, Walker says he advised them to reach out as broadly as possible to local and tribal leaders, along with conservation groups. (good luck with that)

The last proposed mining project in the state was near Crandon, which was stalled because of tribal and environmental concerns. Wisconsin also has a strict moratorium on new mining projects that requires strict pollution controls. Walker says those are all factors that will have to be considered. He says developers are on a very reasonable time table, and he’s sure the Legislature would be willing to work with them on a project that could bring jobs and economic development to the state.

:puke:

www.wrn.com/2010/11/walker-excited-by-mine-proposal/

[madrchsod]

10. that`s why walker hired the drunk to run the dnr....

[Ellipsis]

17. Oooh Zing!

[Evasporque]

9. Sad thing is they will ship all the taconite pellets to China...

Where it will be made into steel and sent back....

We should be using our own resources for our own industry. In a gradual manner...

If they were using that taconite to feed U.S. steel mills for U.S. steel for U.S. products....I would be more open to exploring some mining options...(with proper environmental safe guards)


But wholesale "dig big holes and send it to China"....nope.


That is literally gutting America.

[blindpig]

12. Somebody call Ducks Unlimited....

[AdHocSolver]

15. Does that $604 million include executive bonuses?

Another benefit that can be realized results from the fact that once the mine is depleted, the region will be so polluted and uninhabitable, that they will be able to build the next generation of nuclear reactors there without any opposition from the locals.

You have to envision the big picture.

[Brickbat]

16. You're not really familiar with iron ore mining, are you?

[Blue_In_AK]

18. This reminds me of the Pebble Mine that Northern Dynasty

wants to build in the Bristol Bay watershed...a large open-pit mine into which ALL other mines in Alaska would fit, with the toxic waste being held back by an earthen dam bigger than the Hoover Dam, smack-dab in an active seismic zone. Brilliant.

Good luck fighting this.

http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/A-mind-boggling-Alaska-mine-888047.php?source=mypi

[Chris_Texas]

19. You either want jobs and industry here or you don't. I do.

[Scuba]

20. Not all jobs are the same. Not all industries destroy the environment. n/t

[Brickbat]

22. Iron ore mining does not have to destroy the environment.

[Ellipsis]

21. Long term damage for a short term answer. Even at 35 years for the first phase.

It's short sighted.

[Odin2005]

23. Oh FUCK no!