Governor Walker Signs Mining Bill

This article was authored by:

Carrie Carlson
Technical Writer

Yesterday, Governor Scott Walker signed the mining bill that will help to ease the permit process for companies looking to mine in Wisconsin. This means good news for potential mining companies like Gogebic Taconite, who has been looking to start an iron mine in the northwestern part of the state.

This time last year, Governor Walker visited FEECO International, to discuss the importance that mining holds for the state’s economy. Dan Madigan, President of FEECO, voiced his thoughts on the bill: “Entities looking to invest in Wisconsin need the security of a certain, predictable timelime…so that investors can look at the state and see that it’s a place that they want to do business and that mining can be healthy and growing in the state.”

Our state was pioneered by settlers looking to utilize our furs for trading, timber for building construction and our mined natural resources, one of them being, iron ore. Wisconsin has a long tradition of hard working, highly educated manufacturing workforce that serves the mining industry

For over 60 years, FEECO has been supplying equipment and technologies to the mining sector, which accounts for about 35% of their business. FEECO builds rotary ore drums for the agglomeration of ore, as well as bulk material handling equipment.

The bill comes with controversy as residents worry what the bill will mean for environmental regulations. Madigan noted that FEECO itself is an environmentally conscious company. “We pride ourselves not only on our efforts in sustainable business practices, but also on our efforts in developing technologies that benefit the environment through the transformation of wastes. We care about the environment just as much as anyone.”

Yesterday, Madigan attended the bill signing, telling NBC26 News, “This is a unified day for the state of Wisconsin,” noting that the benefits extend far beyond FEECO: “Someone has to deliver the gas to the company to do the work and the welding wire and someone else has to sell the steel to the you.”…and someday soon, the iron ore for that steel we will proudly be able to say is from Wisconsin.”

For more information on FEECO’s mining capabilities, contact us today!

About the Author . . .


Carrie Carlson is a technical writer and visual designer.

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