Mining

Metallic Mining Committee Tuesday, October 17, 2023 County Board Room, Taylor County Courthouse Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Rollie Thums called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM. Introductions were made. Committee Members Present: Rollie Thums, Jim Gebauer, Rod Adams, Tim Hansen, Jim Metz Members Absent: Myron Brooks - excused Other Attendees: Green Light representatives Dan Colton, Steve Donohue, Al Christianson, Jon Kaiser, and Keith Gilkes Jeff Peterson, Westboro Town Chair Ron Sromek, Grover Town Chair Mark O’Connell, WI County Association Ruthann Koch, Assistant Corp Counsel Dylan Anderson, Congressman Tiffany ofc Brian Wilson, Star News Michelle Grimm, UW Extension Ben Stanfley, Commissioner Hwy Dept Brent Tessmer, Conservationist LCD Kyle Noonan, Zoning Administrator Sue Noland, Zoning Department Approve Minutes: The minutes of the June 6, 2018 meeting were briefly discussed. Chairman Thums declared the minu tes approved as he is the only member present today who attended the meeting in 2018. Approve Agenda: Tim Hansen moved to approve the agenda with 7 items; Seconded by Jim Gebauer. Motion carried. Green Light Metals representatives gave an overview of their company: A slideshow power point was viewed indicating copper, zinc and tellur ium are some of the critical minerals which are highly used . With more effort towards a carbon -free economy, mineral needs will increase 3-4 times over the next 20 years. There are high deposits of copper, gold and tell urium in the Penokean Volcanic Belt. Some of the deposits in the Penokean Volcanic Belt include Crandon, Lynne, Flambeau and now the Bend. The Bend was discovered in the 1970s and had drillings in 1980-2012. It is estimated the Bend has a 4-million-ton mineral resource with 1.8% copper and 2.5 g/t of gold, along with high concentrations of tellu rium. The land ownership is Federal on the surface and underground, except for a 40-acre parcel which has minerals owned by Soo Line railroad. A Prospecting Permit Application has been filed with BLM. When issued, they can go out and do exploration. There would be a minimum of 3-4 drill campaigns before applying for a mining permit which would take about 4 -5 years. To keep public debate to a minimum, they work and interact with local community for an environmentally sustainable community, have a common interest to provide clean metals, focus on benefit to local community, produc e clean energy metals, obtain input from diverse local comm unity representation, have an open -door policy, and conduct water quality testing. Minerals is the last of the three primary resources available in Northern Wisconsin still in abundance; timber and agric ulture are getting tap ped out and not many small family farms. Some of the benefits of mining are good paying jobs for local workers and critical metals are obtained rather than purchasing from other countries. Also pointed out were road impacts with roads usually being greatly improved. Any Other Business: None Next Committee Meeting: The next meeting of the Metallic Mining Committee will be at the call of the Chairman. Adjournment: With no further business, Jim Gebauer moved to adjourn the meeting; Seconded by Rod Adams. Motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 AM. Secretary: Kyle Noonan [NOTE: THESE MINUTES ARE BEING PUBLISHED PRIOR TO COMMITTEE APPROVAL DUE TO THE INFREQUENCY OF MEETINGS.]