This is true, especially in western Wisconsin, and in the future, the zinc and copper mine in Ladysmith, which is in close proximity to the proposed Crandon Mine. The Shullsburg lead/zinc mine, located in western Wisconsin, closed in 1979, and immediately followed by wells nearby being contaminated with sulphur ("Wisconsin Department"). The Ladysmith zinc/copper mine is located in the Northwest part of the state, just down the road from Crandon, off of Interstate 8, recently closed in 1997 after producing 1.9 million tons of ore in 4years ("Mining"). Although reclamation is under way, it is hard to say if the process will be successful. .
The improvement in technology has brought the mining industry to become more environmentally safe, but not 100 percent. Problems that were caused by these early practices led to comprehensive mining laws and regulations that exist today ("Mining"). New mines cannot open without reclamation plans that ensure long-term environmental safety ("Questions"). The tightening of regulations has forced the major mining companies that are involved in the Crandon Mine saga under the microscope of a more environmentally aware public. Throughout the history of this project, mining regulations have fluctuated, causing major political and ethical debate about the proposal. The next section outlines the chronology and controversy of the proposed Crandon Mine.
Historical Chronology.
Before discussing the historical chronology of this issue, the controversy of the proposed Crandon Mine has had many specific dates and proclamations that have had a significant role on this proposal to mine ore at the Crandon Deposit. What I will be doing is hitting on the main, significant dates and decisions that have had the most impact on the proposal. The Midwest Treaty Network, a key opponent to the implementation of the proposed Crandon Mine, provided the following information of the historical chronology of the proposal.
