GTAC Considers Mining Exclusively In Iron County

Gogebic Taconite is considering constructing its proposed open pit iron ore mine in Iron County exclusively, and not in both Iron and Ashland counties as it originally planned.

If Gogebic Taconite pulls out of Ashland County, it would mean the two pits would span 400 fewer acres in what’s currently a 3,200-acre project. Gogebic Taconite spokesman Bob Seitz said that the consideration is in part a reaction to an ordinance passed by the Ashland County Board last year requiring a mining permit fee.

“We have to balance the approach that Ashland County has made, which has been very negative to jobs and investment, against the benefit of that small part of the project that lies in Ashland County,” said Seitz.

Seitz specifically blamed County Board Chairman Pete Russo.

Russo, for his part, said he doesn’t mind: “That makes me feel good,” said Russo. “It’s not the first time I’ve been attacked.”

Russo said the ordinance charging $100,000 for a permit to mine is fair, but he said that GTAC hasn’t played fair.

“If they had tried to act reasonably and respectful to the people who live up here and not try to bulldoze over everybody, there might have been a different outlook,” he said.

Russo said mining would be more difficult in Ashland County because of the high water table and findings of asbestos-like minerals.

Meanwhile, Seitz said they’re not considering ending efforts to get a mining permit.

“We are still operating as we have been, except that the spring and summer field work is done and so contractors and temporary people, seasonal kind of work is done,” said Seitz.

There has been speculation from people near the mine site this week that GTAC was leaving the state. It had initially pulled out two years ago when mining legislation wasn’t changed. The Legislature then passed a mining bill that would make it easier and faster to get a permit.