Mining in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the agency that has the primary responsibility for regulating environmental aspects of metallic mining activities in the state. Within DNR, the Waste Management Program has a lead role in regulating metallic mining activities, including metallic mineral exploration (drilling), prospecting (bulk sampling), mining and mining waste disposal. The Waste Management Program also regulates oil and gas exploration and has oversight over locally administered nonmetallic mining reclamation programs.

Metallic Mining

The Waste Management Program is responsible for reviewing proposed mining permit applications, including the associated mining plan, reclamation plan and project-wide monitoring plan, and any associated mining waste facility siting and design studies. Metallic mining operations may include an open pit or underground mine constructed for the extraction of copper-, gold-, lead- and zinc-bearing minerals. Proposed projects undergo a comprehensive review to determine whether they will comply with the applicable laws and rules of the state. This review culminates with a contested case hearing on all regulatory aspects of the proposed project and the adequacy of the environmental impact statement (EIS).

If a mining project is ultimately approved, Program staff are also responsible for enforcing the mining permit and waste facility approvals to ensure that the operation is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations and all conditions of the various permits and approvals. To meet this goal, staff conduct frequent site inspections and other surveillance activities at permitted mining operations and oversee final reclamation of mining sites once operations have ceased. Department oversight and surveillance activities continue for many years after mining operations end at permitted mine sites.

At the present time, there are no metal mines operating in the state. The last operating metallic mine, the Flambeau Mine near Ladysmith in Rusk County, finished its mining operation in 1997 and has since completed reclamation and is currently being monitored. Former metallic mining sites (in the southwest and west-central part of the state) have all been successfully reclaimed and are in various stages of regulatory oversight by the Department.

Nonmetallic Mining

There are an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 nonmetallic mine sites in Wisconsin. The most common examples of nonmetallic mines are rock quarries and gravel pits. After September 2001, nonmetallic mines in Wisconsin cannot continue to operate unless they have applied for and received a reclamation permit.

The regulation of nonmetallic mine reclamation is administered at the county or local level with Department oversight and auditing authority. Chapter NR 135, Wisconsin Administrative Code, made it mandatory for counties to enact ordinances by June 1, 2001 for the purpose of establishing and administering programs to address the reclamation of nonmetallic mining sites and to ensure that uniform reclamation standards are applied consistently throughout the state. In this way, NR 135 provides assurance that a stable and productive post-mining condition will be achieved at all active nonmetallic mines in the State of Wisconsin. Although mandatory for counties, the rule gives municipalities (cities, villages and towns) an option to enact an ordinance establishing a reclamation program at any time.

The new law also allows landowners to register nonmetallic mineral deposits as a tool to assist land use planners.

Need more information? Contact Philip Fauble

Last Revised: Wednesday April 25 2007