Future Mining Prospects Remain Murky, Say Northern Wisconsin Officials

A landowner of the site proposed for an iron ore mine has been reported as saying that mining is inevitable in the Penokee Hills. But the head of one northern Wisconsin tribe says they won’t allow it.

LaPointe Iron Company President David Adams told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that any new developer would likely spend more time building relations with local communities and trying to mend fences after Gogebic Taconite’s now-scrapped project evoked hostility in the area.

Iron and Ashland County officials say they’ve met with company officials about interest in future development.

But, Bad River Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins said there’s been no contact with the tribe so far. He opposes the notion that mining the Penokees is inevitable.

“The Penokees will never be mined. Our tribe will never allow it, and any discussion of mining in the highlands above our home is not going to happen. Water, air, life – it’s non-negotiable,” said Wiggins.

The chairman of the Ashland County Board says La Pointe officials told them efforts had been made to reach out to the tribe. Company president David Adams did not immediately return a request for comment.

Iron County board member Vic Ouimette said he’s encouraged by Adams’ talk about community outreach.

“And their recognition that there are stakeholders out there whose concerns are legitimate and whose concerns need to be taken into account early on in the process,” Ouimette said.

But Ashland County board member Charlie Ortman said issues with wetlands and the deposit remain.

“If any company wants to come in here thinking that the relationship was the problem with getting that mine developed, that was just another problem on top of the real problem, which is that area is unmineable,” said Ortman.

He added that discovery of asbestos-like fibers there remains a concern with any proposal to mine.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include statements from Bad River Tribal Chairman Mike Wiggins.