Wis. GOP to introduce mining bill

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Republicans are finally ready to release a long-awaited bill to streamline the state’s mining regulations.

Assembly Republicans plan to release the bill’s language during a news conference Thursday morning at the state Capitol.

Gogebic Taconite wants to mine iron ore in the Penokee Hills just south of Lake Superior. Company officials have promised the project will create hundreds of jobs. They’ve suspended their plans, though, saying they want legislators to guarantee an end point in the state’s rigorous permitting process.

Republicans have been working on a bill to streamline the process for most of the past year but haven’t revealed any details. Conservationists fear they plan to relax environmental standards for Gogebic Taconite.