The lot includes examples of malachite, two bornite specimens, one chalcocite. As scans of additional reports from this time period become available, they will be posted here, chronologically, as will new reports generated in 2015 and beyond. The original website covered the time period of 19752014. Paddle the flambeau river in price county and rusk county in north central wisconsin. Have a place on the south fork of the flambeau, do pretty well with northerns but havent been able to find a musky there yet. Over 73 years later, our company remains devoted to providing quality fishing products that. The flambeau mine, operated by a subsidiary of kennecott, itself a subsidiary of rio tinto, operated just 140 feet from the flambeau river from 1993 to 1997. Phillip fauble, mining program coordinator for the wisconsin. Flambeau river monitoring at the flambeau mine rusk. Usmining provides information on mines, operators, and minerals mined in lac du flambeau, wi. Wisconsin, is bounded on the east by state highway 27 and on the west by the flambeau river. Flambeau mine causing illegal water pollution mining. Fmc data confirm that, as a minimum, dissolved concentrations of the following constituents significantly exceed fmcs baseline concentrations 198788. The short 15mile section of the south fork of the flambeau river within the state forest boundary is known for its.
Flambeau mine site only modern day example of wisconsins. Flambeau river, county w bridge canoeing and kayaking. Two ponds designed to collect contaminated runoff and acid mine drainage from the operation are shown, as well as the mines wastewater treatment plant and rail spur. It is apparent from the mwpr data that groundwater contamination is exiting. It ceased production in 1997 and has since been reclaimed. Kennecott flambeau mine process documents uw digital.
The flambeau mine, located along the shores of the flambeau river near ladysmith, wisconsin, operated from 1993 to 1997 and was reclaimed by 1999. The flambeau river is located at the southwest corner of the photograph. The flambeau deposit existed at very shallow depth. Flambeau river, dix dox landing canoeing and kayaking. After touring the flambeau mine site, the dnr board will have dinner with native american tribal leaders. The flambeau mine operated on the banks of the flambeau river near ladysmith, wisconsin from 19931997.
Mining permit application for the flambeau project. With respect to the preapplication process, the bill removes the. This current lot shows a good example of the ore minerals from the mine. There is no acid in the ground water that moves from the pit into the flambeau river. Flambeau mine exposed ii a supplement to laura gauger. The flambeau mine near ladysmith, wi has a long history of controversy. Judge rules flambeau mining company violated clean water act.
The wisconsin department of natural resources recently completed an investigation of water quality at the flambeau mine site and recommended that stream c, a tributary of the flambeau river into which flambeau mining company has been discharging polluted runoff from the mine site since 1999, be. Aug 09, 2017 this openpit mine continually leaches toxic metals and other dangerous chemicals into the groundwater and flambeau river, which is a mere 140 feet away. Flambeau mine exposed ii a supplement to laura gaugers. Over 72 years later, our company remains dedicated to providing quality hunting and shooting sports products that are more than just standalone tools of the tradewe. Boundary wells located directly between the backfilled pit and the flambeau river. Flambeau mine causing illegal water pollution mining action. Should polymets proposed mine be compared to the flambeau. The documents contain numerous color maps and illustrations. Wisconsin mining laws the enactment of wisconsins hallmark mining moratorium law also known as prove it first in 1998 was a triumph for those concerned about protecting the states drinking water reserves, lakes and streams from adverse mining impacts. More information can be found at paddle the flambeau river exit dnr.
There are three small intermittent streams at flambeau, one being the controversial stream c, that is an impaired water because of the copper levels in the water. Natural resources board will tour reclaimed flambeau mine. Concerns about the mines impact on the nearby flambeau river spurred community protests and the creation of the rusk county citizens action group. Please tell me why you would not expose the fact that the flambeau mine was a mine for gold, silver and copper. The river formed the western boundary of the project area, and the pit itself came to within 150 feet of the river. Restoring whats left behind from mining wisconsin public radio. Rasmussen also said iron ore processing, which poses a potential risk for local water and air, would take place onsite if the gtac mine is built. Flambeau mining company fmc, a subsidiary of kennecott minerals of salt lake city, utah, constructed an open pit copper sulfide mine alongside the flambeau river in the mid 1990s. Reclamation began in 1997 and since then has been completed. Water levels tend to fluctuate more in the south fork than the north fork, and the rapids in the south fork seem more dependant on rainfall, but should. The data also shows that groundwater at the mine site is polluted and, at a minimum, requires expanded monitoring. The copper and gold mine operated from 1993 to 1997, and while it has already been polluting for two decades, the situation may get worse. The mine was returned to its original contour and total site area of 181 acres was reclaimed.
Will sets the record straight on flambeau mine in mining. During its time it was a very important copper producer, as well as a great producer of find mineral specimens. The mine operated on the shores of the flambeau river, a popular recreation river. Supplement to the surface reclamation plan for the flambeau mine, applied ecological services, december 1997. May 15, 2015 statistically significant exceedances of 1991 flambeau mine permit standards at mwpr located about 125. And the flambeau mine also was the reason for the mining moratorium in wi. Court rules flambeau model mine violated clean water act. As new technical reports and environmental monitoring data from the mine site become available in 2015 and beyond, they will be posted here. The river crosses into the flambeau river state forest about halfway through this segment. Flambeau mine exposed i the real story of the flambeau. Aerial of flambeau mine site during operational phase.
Wisconsin mine may hold key to controversial minnesota project. The enactment of wisconsins hallmark mining moratorium law also known as prove it first in 1998 was a triumph for those concerned about protecting the states drinking water reserves, lakes and streams from adverse mining impacts. Donohue discussed the flambeau mine, a partiallyreclaimed metallic mine in ladysmith, wisconsin that operated from 199397. The flambeau river offers paddling opportunities for all skill levels. This openpit mine continually leaches toxic metals and other dangerous chemicals into the groundwater and flambeau river, which is a mere 140 feet away. This is a truly outstanding accomplishment since the mine is within 140 feet of the flambeau river, 500 feet of highway 27, within feet of private residences and 2500 feet of a liberal arts college, rusk county hospital and nursing home.
Flambeau mine exposed ii serves as a supplement to flambeau mine exposed i, my primary website about the flambeau mine near ladysmith, wisconsin. It was a controversial project marred by protests and arrests in the early 1990s due to the proximity of the mine pit to the flambeau river just 140 feet away and the fact that the flambeau deposit had been classified by geologists as a. The north fork of the flambeau river takes on a variety of moods as it flows southward from the turtleflambeau flowage towards its confluence with the chippewa. As the first mine to earn permits and operate under wisconsins stringent modern mining laws, the flambeau mine met the highest mining, exploration and reclamation standards. There are stretches that are brawling whitewater as well as stretches of wide, slowmoving flowages. Rock formations, fantastic scenery and excellent fishing make the north fork a. Complete canoeing and kayaking information, including free river maps and trip descriptions, travel information, guides, rentals and shuttle services. While there are other examples of successfully operated and reclaimed metallic mines in wisconsin, the flambeau mine near ladysmith in rusk county is the only example of a metallic mine that was permitted, constructed, operated and reclaimed under the states existing regulatory framework. In 1986, flambeau mining company, a subsidiary of kennecott, reevaluated the project under. Depending on whom you talk to, the flambeau mine near ladysmith, wisconsin, is either. Use the information below to help plan your adventure. Lac du flambeau, wi gold mines, mine companies, mine owners and mine information. Gauger also was a plaintiff in a 2012 clean water act case against the mines owner. Flambeau river sediments analysis, comments and recommendations prepared for wisconsin resources protection council dr.
Flambeau coppergold mine minerals education coalition. There are some small wetlands at flambeau, and some were directly, and indirectly, impacted by the mine. The north fork of the flambeau river takes on a variety of moods as it flows southward from the turtle flambeau flowage towards its confluence with the chippewa. Over the years flambeau mining company fmc has implemented various environmental monitoring programs at the flambeau mine site, some required per the terms of the 1991 flambeau mine permit, and others developed at a later date. All of these streams flow into the flambeau, a major industrial river. South of highway 70, the river begins to have a remote feel as you paddle into the interior of the flambeau river state forest. Reader compares flambeau and lynne mining sites the. This 181acre site was an openpit, copper and gold mine from 19911999, and today is a good example of mine reclamation. More than 100,000 people visited the mine, taking in the view from the visitors center, high above the 181acre site. The site rests along the flambeau river in rusk county. Four miles of wellmaintained trails along mostly flat terrain provide for good views of grassland birds such as meadowlarks, song sparrows, and common yellowthroated warblers.
Democrats will claim the mine was an environmental disaster, while republicans will claim the mine was closed without any harm done. The fact that these rare and beautiful specimens were preserved during the process of oremineral extraction is due. Emeritus biology department, university of wisconsinstout 2501 fifth st. Flambeau mine, ladysmith, ladysmithrhinelander metavolcanic complex, rusk co.
The kennecott flambeau mine process documents provide researchers access to the documents that relate to the permit process for the mine. Flambeau river monitoring at the flambeau mine rusk county. Evidence on the flambeau mine for the wisconsin senate select. Flambeau river monitoring at the flambeau mine rusk county, wisconsin 1. Since the close of mining operations, flambeau mining company has faced persistent.
Should polymets proposed mine be compared to the flambeau mine. Flambeau was an openpit mine that operated from 1993 to 1997. The wisconsin senate select committee on mining committee recently heard testimony from mr. The flambeau mine, on the other hand, didnt process its materials onsite.
This photo was taken in 1994 when the river flooded during heavy rains and came within 20 horizontal feet and 4 vertical feet of spilling into the mine pit. Roughly 20 years after the cessation of active mining, flambeau mine ground waters are contaminated by past flambeau mining company fmc activities. Eisenbrey supervised the aem program that resulted in a strong anomaly on the eastern most line on the east bank of the flambeau river, just south of ladysmith. Flambeau mine, ladysmith, ladysmithrhinelander metavolcanic. The macroinvertebrate sampling program instituted by fmc was part of a broader monitoring program designed to ascertain any effects the flambeau mine might have on the flambeau river. Stories of the grassroots resistance movement, protests, arrests, state and local governmental actions, mining company maneuvers and lawsuits abound. Aug 17, 20 aerial of flambeau mine site during operational phase. Wisconsins mining moratorium under attack ecowatch. In 2007 she coauthored, with roscoe churchill of ladysmith, a book about the mine that is available at many public libraries and schools throughout the state the buzzards have landed. The data shows that runoff from the flambeau mine is in violation of applicable surface water quality standards and is illegally polluting a nearby stream and the flambeau river. There are many more laws on the books in wisconsin, however, that are a real giveaway to the mining. Dec 18, 2015 the flambeau mine, operated by a subsidiary of kennecott, itself a subsidiary of rio tinto, operated just 140 feet from the flambeau river from 1993 to 1997.
Depth to bedrock at the mining site ranged from about 1540 feet. I work in education in the schools and need to teach the many parameters of mining. The flambeau mine in wisconsin operated only from 1993 to 1997, and is since been completely filled in and restored. The 181acre mining site located about one mile south of ladysmith, wisconsin, is bounded on the east by state highway 27 and on the west by the flambeau river. Nov 03, 2017 democrats will claim the mine was an environmental disaster, while republicans will claim the mine was closed without any harm done. Reclaimed flambeau mine is a popular dog friendly hike in ladysmith, wi. The best paddling is usually from latespring through june. Flambeau river muskie flambeau river indepth outdoors. Sep 17, 1994 the flambeau mine a kennecottrio tinto project operated on the banks of the flambeau river near ladysmith, wisconsin in the mid1990s. Historic flambeau river surface water quality data 19912016 as reported in. The river provides habitat for a variety of aquatic and wildlife species. A few scattered cottages are the only signs of development, and they do little to mar the experience. Stephen donohue on behalf of the wisconsin mining association.
Piles of crushed ore and sulfide waste rock are visible. Approximately 25 documents describe the mine and its natural and cultural environments. The flambeau mine operated near the river from 1993 to 1997. Jan 11, 20 the flambeau mine operated on the banks of the flambeau river near ladysmith, wisconsin from 19931997. The reclamation plans were part of the initial permitting process, and had to be approved both by wisconsin state regulators and local communities. Rusk county banned sulfide mining and the projects permitting process was put on hold for 10 years. Introduction the mineralcollecting community has become acquainted with the flambeau mine, a copper mine in ladysmith, wisconsin, through the crystallized mineral specimens especially chalcocite that have appeared from that locality over the past 3 years. Lac du flambeau, wi gold mining, mines, mine owners and. As a family owned company from its foundation in 1947, that very philosophy remains the backbone of our brand and serves as the origin story of our logoshared memories hunting and fishing by the sauey family under sunrises over the flambeau river.
Npdes permits in wisconsin under its parallel program, the wpdes commonly. Mar 10, 2014 located directly between the backfilled pit and the flambeau river. Beginning in 1974, kennecott minerals company initiated the process. The flambeau mine near ladysmith, wisconsin before reclamation. This is the only recent mining of massive sulfides in wisconsin other deposits have been drilled, but. A dense northern forest of hardwoods and mixed pines surround the slowflowing river. The wisconsin department of natural resources recently completed an investigation of water quality at the flambeau mine site and recommended that stream c, a tributary of the flambeau river into which flambeau mining company has been discharging polluted runoff from the.
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