Mining in Wisconsin

Mining has always been an important part of the “Wisconsin” way of life. Lead mining gave Wisconsin its nickname as the Badger State. To protect our natural resources, in 1974, Wisconsin passed the state’s first mining law to regulate the environmental aspects of mining. 

Today, most mining in Wisconsin is to collect nonmetallic rock, stone, sand, gravel, and limestone from quarries or pits. Local governments regulate nonmetallic mines, but the DNR provides oversight and ensures state compliance for reclamation programs. 

Metallic mining is divided into two categories: iron (ferrous) and all other metallic-bearing minerals including copper, gold, lead, silver, and zinc (nonferrous). Both types are  extracted from open pits or underground mines with the DNR as the lead state regulatory agency. The overall approach for ferrous and nonferrous mining is similar and includes compliance with state environmental laws.