In Wisconsin, GOP pushes to end sulfide mining moratorium

MADISON, Wis. (AP) - Four years after relaxing Wisconsin's iron mining laws, Republicans are pushing to lift a moratorium on copper and gold mining. Wisconsin prohibits issuing any sulfide ore mining permits unless an applicant can prove a similar mine in North America has operated for at least 10 years without polluting and a similar mine has been closed for a decade without polluting. No other state has such a stiff restriction, and opposition is mobilizing to keep the ban.