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Wednesday, March 07, 2012

Statement by Gogebic Taconite after Wisconsin Senate vote

The following is a statement by Gogebic Taconite President Bill Williams on the March 6 Wisconsin State Senate "Rejection of Mining Reforms" (amended Assembly Bill 426):

"Senate rejection of the mining reforms in Assembly Bill 426 sends a clear message that Wisconsin will not welcome iron mining. We get the message. GTac is ending plans to invest in a Wisconsin mine. We thank the many people who have supported our efforts."

Editor's Notes: Earlier today Keweenaw Now reported an Associated Press version of this statement. We removed our announcement after being told the source had been in error. The above statement is from the official press release from Gogebic Taconite, dated March 6, 2012.

See the March 6, 2012, Journal Sentinel Online article, "Mining firm drops out after Wisconsin bill rejected," for more details. According to this article, "A week ago, in an email, Williams said Gogebic did some mineral exploration in Michigan last summer and has discussed mining with officials in that state."

In a phone conversation today, Steve Casey, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Water Resources Upper Peninsula district supervisor, told Keweenaw Now that Gogebic Taconite did make some brief contacts with the Michigan DEQ last summer concerning exploration in Michigan.

"I have not heard of them making contacts (with the DEQ) since then," Casey added.

Also, a March 2, 2012, article in the Duluth News Tribune said Gogebic Taconite had struck a tentative deal to pipe in 1.2 million gallons of water a day from Ironwood, Mich., for processing the ore into taconite. See: "Gogebic Taconite agrees to water deal for planned mine."

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