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 specific conditions under which permits for sulfide ore body mining may be issued. This includes the requirement for the DNR to assess the environmental impact of past mining operations before granting any new permits. The intent of the bill is to enhance environmental protections related to mining activities and ensure that any new mining operations do not pose a risk to Wisconsin's water resources.

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