Canadian company moves forward with exploratory drilling in north-central Wisconsin | Science & Environment

Toronto-based GreenLight Metals has also filed technical reports with Canadian authorities indicating that the Reef and Bend deposits in Taylor and Marathon counties are of “economic interest” that warrants further exploration.

The Bend deposit, located in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Taylor County, contains 4 million tonnes primarily of copper and gold, Wisconsin Public Radio News reported. The Reef deposit, located approximately 20 km east of Wausau in Marathon County, contains approximately 454,000 tonnes of gold reserves.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources spokesman Ben Callan said the company needed more approvals before starting drilling.

“They should take another step by filing a notice of intent with the department,” Callan said. “Then in that submission they would detail their plan.”

Callan said the company plans to collect updated information on the wetlands and surrounding habitat during the growing season, which will be incorporated into its plan. Additional permits may be required.

Metals like gold and copper have not been mined in Wisconsin since the Flambeau mine closed in 1997. The mine served as the catalyst for the state’s sulphide mining moratorium that was repealed in 2017 under a law passed by the Republican-controlled state legislature.

The moratorium required companies to prove that other mines were operated and then closed for 10 years without causing environmental damage.