Flambeau Mine in Wisconsin

The battle to protect water resources continues in Wisconsin. The Republican wrecking crew once again wants to allow business to do what every they want with no responsibility for the consequences or the clean up. They have introduced legislation (Senate Bill 395 and Assembly Bill 499) to repeal Wisconsin’s mining moratorium law known as the the “prove it first” law. 

Wisconsin’s “prove it first” mining law was passed under Republican Governor Thompson in 1998 with overwhelming bipartisan support (29-3 in the Senate and 91-6 in the Assembly).  The law was a reaction to high-profile cases of pollution from sulfide mines across the country. The law requires mining companies to prove that a sulfide mine has operated for 10 years (and closed for 10 years) without polluting groundwater and surface waters with acid drainage. Wisconsin is the only state with this requirement. This shows how Wisconsin USED to be a leader.

In 20 years, no mining company has been able to provide this proof. This CONSERVATIVE (in the true meaning of the word) law errs on the side of protecting Wisconsin’s water. In the absence of proof that mining can be done safely, protecting water must come first. Water IS the most important natural resource. 

This common sense requirement, however, does not fit the radical Republican ideology. For them the “free market” and profit overrides all other considerations. The proposed law would also relax wetland and groundwater protections, constrain the time regulators have to review mine plans, limit legal challenges to state mining permits, exempt mine companies from fees that cover costs of handling hazardous waste, and lessen financial liability for mining companies.

Many articles in the Reader regarding the PolyMet mining proposal in Minnesota have discussed the science and dangers of sulfide mining. The basic facts are that digging up these sequestered metallic ores, and exposing them to oxygen, produces sulfuric acid and heavy metal contaminated runoff. This is inherent to mining and essentially impossible, and economically unfeasible, to prevent or mitigate. ALL MINING OF THESE ORES HAS CREATED LONG LASTING POLLUTION. Mining done by the Romans 2000 years ago is still leaching toxins.  

Mining advocates claim the Flambeau mine in Wisconsin proves sulfide mining can be done safely. The mine was an open-pit copper, gold, and silver mine located near Ladysmith. The international company Rio Tinto (former Kennecott Copper) operated a 35-acre open pit mine between 1993 and 1997. The mine produced 181,000 tons of copper, 3.3 million ounces of silver and 334,000 ounces of gold, according  Department of Natural Resources records. Today the 181 acre property has been filled in, replanted, and wetlands created. It is open to the public for recreation. This is the last mine of its kind to operate in Wisconsin prior to the “proof it” law passed in 1998. 

But although the surface reclamation looks good, environmental groups say surface and ground waters are still being polluted. Groundwater samples indicate high levels of copper, manganese and sulfates. An intermittent stream flowing through the property contains high levels of copper and zinc. In 2014 water samples from the stream did not meet DNR water quality standards. Water treatment to mitigate pollution in the stream currently continues and  sampling in 2017 showed that the copper levels continue to exceed the acute toxicity criteria. Twenty years after it closed a final Certificate of Reclamation from the DNR has not been issued. 

Mining advocates justify the damage as promoting economic growth and creating jobs. But many studies indicate that boom and bust mining does little to improve local economies. Mining companies promise many long-term jobs and economic development but the reality is often just the opposite. The promised job numbers are usually overly optimistic. The profits are exported to the absentee owners rather than being re-invested in the local economy. The local community is left with the long term costs and environmental damage. Across the country mining communities are noted for high levels of unemployment, slow rates of growth, high poverty rates, and stagnant or declining populations. Studies show  mining creates enormous barriers to economic development and diversification because the area is less attractive for other industries. 

The Flambeau mine is an example. In addition to being small and operating for for only four years, the ore was exported to Canada for processing. Few jobs were created and only 48 were local hires. This increased the local force by less than one percent. While the mine was still operating, Rusk County had some of the highest unemployment in the state. In a 1997 report, rural economist Tim Tynan said the FLAMBEAU MINE HAD VIRTUALLY NO IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY. In the study he compared Ladysmith to Medford with similar demographics but a different development strategy. He concluded, “Ladysmith has spent much more money on economic development than Medford, and Medford has spent much more on schools and residential amenities. Medford has outperformed Ladysmith in terms of economic prosperity over the past seven years 1989-1996. The rich copper mine which once “promised the world” to those in Ladysmith is now gone…” It operated for FOUR YEARS!

Many reasons account for the lack of long-term economic prosperity for mining communities.  Fluctuating market prices for the metals result in fluctuating employment. Strip mines and technological advancements have reduced the need for human labor. The ore deposits often  become depleted within a short time. Mining creates a significant, lasting impact on the local environment. Mining is land and water intensive and the environmental degradation can make the area a less attractive location in which to live and work. This means mining inhibits economic diversification critical for the economic prosperity of the wider community. 

But hope springs eternal. The gold rush mentality and the hope for an economic savior are strong. The politicians love the photo ops and the public is oblivious. Unfortunately “ONLY WHEN THE LAST TREE HAS BEEN CUT AND THE LAST RIVER BEEN POISONED AND THE LAST FISH BEEN CAUGHT WILL WE REALIZE WE CANNOT EAT MONEY.”