Assembly Bill 632 seeks to amend current mining regulations in Wisconsin by introducing a moratorium on the issuance of permits for the mining of sulfide ore bodies. The bill stipulates that the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) cannot issue a permit for such mining until it verifies that a similar mining operation in the United States or Canada has successfully operated for at least 10 years without polluting groundwater or surface water. Additionally, the DNR must confirm that a similar mining operation has been closed for at least 10 years without causing pollution.

The bill amends section 293.49 (1) (a) of the statutes to include a reference to the newly created section 293.50, which outlines the conditions under which permits for sulfide ore body mining may be issued. This new section defines sulfide ore bodies and establishes the criteria that must be met before a permit can be granted, focusing on the environmental safety record of similar mining operations. The proposed legislation aims to enhance environmental protections related to mining activities in Wisconsin.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 293.49(1)(a)(intro.), 293.49