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Gogebic Taconite, LLC, former mining project
Location: Iron and Ashland counties
Managed Forest Law (MFL) land that was previously temporarily closed to public access is now reopened to the public for hunting, fishing, hiking, sight-seeing and cross-country skiing.
The Gogebic Iron Range is an 80-mile long belt of distinctive Precambrian bedrock in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It stretches east to west, roughly from Lake Gogebic in Michigan to Lake Namekagon in Wisconsin.
The Penokee/Gogebic Deposit generally refers to a 21-mile-long segment of the Gogebic Iron Range between the community of Upson and Mineral Lake in Wisconsin. The deposit contains 20-30% iron in the form of magnetite. Because the iron ore is of lower grade than the natural hematitic ores mined previously in northern Wisconsin, the ore must be concentrated and processed into taconite pellets prior to shipping to a steel mill.
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, withdrawal
Most of the surface and mineral rights for the land containing the deposit are currently owned by the LaPointe Iron Company and RGGS Land & Minerals, Ltd., which have optioned potential development of the deposit to Gogebic Taconite, LLC.
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, was considering development along a four-mile stretch east of the community of Mellen. However, the DNR received a preapplication withdrawal letter from Gogebic Taconite, LLC, on March 24, 2015 for the ferrous mining project located in Iron and Ashland County. The letter follows the February 2015 closing of the company's Hurley office.
As of March 24, 2015, all Managed Forest Law (MFL) land that was previously temporarily closed to public access is now reopened to the public for hunting, fishing, hiking, sight-seeing and cross-country skiing.
Department officials continue to work with the company to complete necessary work on the site to ensure the site is properly maintained and environmentally stable. The DNR issued a certificate of completion for exploration license #41001 on June 27, 2017.
Ferrous Mining in Wisconsin (WA-1721)
Gogebic Taconite Mining Activities (2013)
Bulk sample plan
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, submitted a bulk sample plan on June 17, 2013. The company submitted a revised bulk sample plan on November 25, 2013.
DNR Response Letter: Review of Modified Bulk Sample Plan - Winter Weather Alternative - Feb. 7, 2014
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Bulk Sample Plan Winter Weather Alternative - Feb. 4, 2014
DNR air permit exemption concurrence letter - Feb. 3, 2014
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, response to Dec. 20, 2013, DNR letter on Storm Water Permit Application for Bulk Sampling - Jan. 31, 2014
Letter from Gogebic Taconite, LLC, to DNR re: December 20, 2013 Request for "Additional Clarification" Regarding Bulk Sampling Activity - Jan. 8, 2014
DNR Response Letter: Supplemental Review of Revised Bulk Sample Plan Dated November 25, 2013 - Dec. 20, 2013
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Air Permit Exemption Notice of Intent for bulk sampling activities as outlined in the Revised Bulk Sample Plan submitted to the DNR on Nov. 25, 2013 - Dec. 19, 2013
DNR Response Letter: Review of Revised Bulk Sample Plan Dated November 25, 2013 - Dec. 10, 2013
Storm water Permit Application for Bulk Sampling Activity - Dec. 2, 2013
Map 1 - Bulk Sampling Sites
Map 2 - General Arrangement
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Revised Bulk Sample Plan - Nov. 25, 2013
DNR Response to Gogebic Taconite, LLC Regarding Bulk Sample Plan Response - Aug. 13, 2013
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Bulk Sample Plan Response to DNR Comments - July 28, 2013
DNR Response to Gogebic Taconite, LLC Regarding Bulk Sample Plan - Necessary Approvals and Supplemental Information - July 2, 2013
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Bulk Sample Plan - June 17, 2013
Storm water permits
Storm water permit applications
DNR Response Letter re: Construction Site Storm water Discharge Permit for Access Road 3 (WPDES General Permit No. WI-S067831-04) - July 15, 2014
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Revised Storm water Permit Application for Access Road 3 - June 30, 2014
DNR Letter and Construction Site Storm water Discharge Permit for Bulk Sampling Activity (WPDES General Permit No. WI-S067831-04) - Feb. 11, 2014
WPDES General Permit No. WJ-S067831-04
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Storm water Permit Application for Access Road 3 Grading - Feb. 7, 2014
DNR Response Letter re: Storm water Permit Application for Bulk Sampling - Dec. 20, 2013
DNR Response Letter re: Construction Site Storm water Discharge Permit for Access Road 3 - Dec. 10, 2013
Storm water Permit Application Related to Improvements to an Access Road - July 9, 2013
Exploration licenses
Exploration license application materials
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, submitted a revised first exploration license application on May 16, 2013, and a second exploration license application on Dec. 31, 2013. The company submitted renewal applications for both licenses on June 24, 2014. The DNR issued a certificate of completion for exploration license #41001 on June 27, 2017.
DNR Renewal of Exploration License #41002 - July 15, 2014
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Exploration License #41002 Renewal Application - June 24, 2014
Revised Maps for Exploration License #2 - Jan. 23, 2014
Map 1 - Site Location Map - Jan. 23, 2014
Map 2 - Property Control - Jan. 23, 2014
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Notice of Intent to Drill - Jan. 16, 2014
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Exploration License #41002 and Letter from DNR - Jan. 16, 2014
Exploration License Application #2 - Dec. 31, 2013
Map 1 - Site Location Map - Dec. 31, 2013
Map 2 - Property Control - Dec. 31, 2013
DNR Renewal of Exploration License #41001 - June 28, 2013
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Exploration License Renewal Application - June 17, 2013
DNR Storm water Discharge Permit Application Response - June 4, 2013
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Notice of Intent to Drill - May 31, 2013
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Exploration License #41001 and Letter from DNR - May 30, 2013
Response Letter from Gogebic Taconite, LLC, to May 24, 2013 Letter from DNR - May 29, 2013
Letter from DNR to Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Requesting Clarifying Information on Exploration License Application - May 24, 2013
DNR Acknowledgement of Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Exploration License Application Withdrawal and Submittal of Replacement Application - May 17, 2013
Revised 2013 Exploration License Application - May 16, 2013
Revised 2013 General Drilling Map - May 16, 2013
Revised 2013 Exploration Site Map - May 16, 2013
Revised 2013 Storm water Permit Application - Ferrous Mining Exploration Activity - May 16, 2013
Withdrawn exploration license application materials
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, submitted exploration license application materials on May 9, 2013. The company withdrew the application request on May 16, 2013.
Request to Withdraw May 9, 2013 Exploration License Application - May 16, 2013
2013 Exploration License Application - May 9, 2013
2013 General Drilling Map - May 9, 2013
2013 Exploration Site Map - May 9, 2013
2013 Storm water Permit Application - Ferrous Mining Exploration Activity - May 9, 2013
Preapplication
Preapplication notification materials
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, submitted a mining permit preapplication notice on June 17, 2013. On March 24, 2015, Gogebic Taconite submitted a preapplication withdrawal letter to DNR.
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Pre-Application Withdrawal letter - March 24, 2015
DNR Response Letter: Pre-Application Notification Information Pursuant to s. 295.465(2), Wis. Stats. - March 10, 2014
Attachment A - Environmental Impact Report Outline
Attachment B - Existing Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) Information and Other Sources of Information
Attachment C - WDNR Protocols and Sampling Methodologies
Attachment D - Additional Water Monitoring Information
Gogebic Taconite, LLC, Notice of Intent to File Application for Mining Permit - June 17, 2013
Managed Forest Law (MFL) lands
Map of Managed Forest Law (MFL) lands within the proposed Gogebic Taconite ferrous mining site that are temporarily closed to public access - updated August 19, 2014
Additional correspondence
Correspondence between DNR and Gogebic Taconite, LLC
DNR Letter: Summary of Expenses #1 and Request for Payment - March 24, 2014
Correspondence between DNR and US Army Corps of Engineers
Response Letter from Corps of Engineers to DNR re: Memorandum of Understanding and Concept of Joint EIS - Dec. 23, 2013
Letter from DNR to Corps of Engineers re: Memorandum of Understanding and Concept of Joint EIS for Potential Mining Activity - Nov. 26, 2013
2011 Gogebic Taconite, LLC, application materials
The DNR issued Gogebic Taconite an exploration license in spring 2011 and performed a site inspection for the installation of eight boreholes in April 2011. The DNR also issued a storm water permit in June 2011. Drilling was scheduled for June 2011, but the company suspended all exploration activities and the boreholes were not completed.
2011 Gogebic Taconite exploration license application
2011 Gogebic Taconite exploration license
2011 Gogebic Taconite notice of intent to drill
2011 Gogebic Taconite revised drilling plan
2011 DNR exploration borehole site inspection report
Mining in Wisconsin
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Mines_Related Links_Metallic Ferrous
Overview of Ferrous Iron Mining in Wisconsin
Ferrous Iron Mining Permitting Process
Ferrous Iron Mining Regulations and Publications
Gogebic Taconite LLC Former Mining Project
Past and Potential Ferrous Iron Mining Projects in Wisconsin
For more information, contact
Mines_Contact_Ferrous Mining
Molly Gardner
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
101 S. Webster Street PO Box 7921
Call 1-888-936-7463 (TTY Access via relay - 711) from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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