Flambeau Mining Co. has petitioned the DNR for a Certificate of Completion of Reclamation (CCR) for its former copper and gold mine near Ladysmith, WI. The petition is for the remaining 32 acres of the mine site contaminated by copper and zinc that polluted Stream C that flows through part of the site and is a tributary of the Flambeau River. A virtual public hearing will take place on July 6 and written comments will be taken until July 21.
The Sierra Club was part of a group of organizations and individuals which successfully challenged a reclamation petition by Flambeau Mining Co. (FMC) for the full mine site in 2007. FMC attempted to gain a CCR for the entire site despite the fact that copper and zinc pollution to Stream C had been documented and the cause was contaminated soils from mining. FMC received only a partial Certificate due to the challenge and 32 acres of the site called the “Industrial Outlot” was required to cleaned up by the company.
The Sierra Club – Wisconsin Chapter, River Alliance of Wisconsin, and Wisconsin’s Green Fire have released a joint statement regarding the history of the site and the need for DNR to address the contamination of Stream C. It can be found at: https://wisconsinrivers.org/flambeau-mine-closure-statement/ along with details on how to participate in the virtual public hearing or submit written comments.
More details including FMC’s petition and DNR’s draft decision to grant the petition are at: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Mines/Flambeau.html