Mining company: Blasting may be minimal in next stage

[hue]

http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/state-and-regional/814fbebe-5c7f-51b2-b8b5-b7812377bccc.html

MADISON — Gogebic Taconite says it may not need to set off explosives to obtain rock samples from the iron-rich ridge running through the Penokee Hills in northern Wisconsin.

The company sees benefits if it can instead collect rock blasted loose decades ago, according to a revised plan released by the state Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday.

Gogebic submitted the 149-page plan for DNR approval about one month after the state agency said the original June 17 proposal for bulk sampling lacked sufficient information.

Sampling must be completed before the company begins digging the controversial mine, an open pit 41/2 miles long that boosters say will create jobs, while opponents warn of environmental damage.

The main advantage of not using explosives is that it would be easier to prevent the spread of dust over swaths of the forest, which is remote enough that explosions might not be heard from people’s homes anyway, said DNR hydrologist Larry Lynch.

But the company pointed to other pluses.

“No blasting exposure to workers, the public or adjacent land owners,” are among the benefits if the company can collect enough rock from rubble left behind by U.S. Steel when it blasted the rock in 1960 and 1961, the plan says.

Gogebic spokesman Bob Seitz said using explosives also would be more expensive.

The company hopes to use heavy equipment to gather rock debris from four sites that were blasted by U.S. Steel.

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. FOR SALE

A "For Sale" sign was just put up at a home adjacent to the site's driveway.

I wonder how many pennies on the dollar those people will finally receive for their home - if it EVER sells.

[madrchsod]

2. it will never sell unless a pit worker buys it.

i wonder why us steel did`t want to develop the pit?

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. A question the republican legislators didn't care about

Because it's a shit-poor location for the mine. When scientists who are real experts on the geology are given only two minutes to speak at the public hearing, the republicans don't have to waste much time with silly little facts like that.