12-3-12 mining proposal

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Gogebic Taconite has submitted a scaled-down sampling plan that would make blasting a last resort for a huge iron mine in far northwestern Wisconsin. The company originally wanted to remove 4,000 tons of rock from five sites in the Penokee Hills. The company planned to use excavation equipment or explosives. The revised plan calls for removing samples from three sites instead of five using excavation equipment. The company would turn to blasting if it can't get enough materials.