OVERVIEW

What is nonmetallic mining?

Nonmetallic mining is the extraction of stone, sand, rock or similar material from natural deposits. The most common examples of nonmetallic mines are quarries and pits. Materials extracted can range from aggregate for construction; sand, gravel and crushed limestone or dolomite for road building; peat for gardening and horticulture; dimension stone for use in buildings, landscaping, and monuments; and sand that is exported for use by the oil industry.

Nonmetallic mining does not include extraction of metallic mineral deposits containing metals such as copper, lead or zinc, nor does it involve recovery of oil, gas or coal.

What is the nonmetallic mining industry's role in Wisconsin's economy?

Nonmetallic mining is a widespread activity in Wisconsin, and there is an estimated 2,500 to 3,000 nonmetallic mine sites producing a wide variety of nonmetallic mineral products. The U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that for 2001 the total nonfuel mineral production for Wisconsin was $368 million. Druing 2001, Over 166 million tons of crushed stone, dimension stone, and sand and gravel were produced in Wisconsin.

The industry provides materials for road building, construction, landscaping, agriculture and other markets throughout the state and the nation. Each person in the United States uses an estimated 10 to 20 tons of nonmetallic mining products each year.

Who regulates the nonmetallic mining industry to ensure that mine reclamation is completed?

By law, each county (except Milwaukee) is required to enact an ordinance and administer a program that regulates the reclamation of nonmetallic mining sites. Cities, villages and towns are given the option to regulate nonmetallic mining reclamation in their jurisdiction through the enactment of a reclamation ordinance. The County or local programs are maintained by the implementation and administration of that ordinance.

Why are locally administered nonmetallic mining reclamation programs necessary?

Unfortunately, there is a legacy of abandoned mines in Wisconsin. The absence of regulations has played a primary role in this legacy. Too often, such sites are safety hazards that create situations resulting in personal injury or even loss of life. Abandoned mines can result in a loss of productive land use, diminished habitat and decreased tax revenues. Abandoned mines can also have a negative impact on the property value of adjacent landowners.

Threats to the environment may occur because of an unstable, nonvegetated landscape that enables sediments to be transported off-site from abandoned and active mine sites and deposited in adjacent surface waters. These impacts can be prevented by responsible practices encouraged through the nonmetallic mining reclamation regulations. This program will ensure that mine sites are returned to a productive and beneficial land use once mining is completed.