Advertise:   ads@blueearthmarketing.com   712.224.5420

Environment
Tribe still raising money for its share of mine buyout


A Wisconsin tribe faces a deadline to raise its share for a $16.5 million buyout of a proposed d zinc and copper mine.

In October 2003, the Sokaogon Chippewa Community and the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe agreed to pay Nicolet Minerals Co. for mining rights and 5,000 acres. The tribes hailed it as a victory in their campaign against a mine they said would destroy Rice Lake, an important source of traditional rice.

The Forest County Potawatomi Tribe, wealthy from gaming profits, has paid its share. The remote Sokaogon Chippewa Community, also known as the Mole Lake Band, is still putting together the $8 million it needs by April 2006.

Get the Story:
Tribe needs money for payment on ex-mine site at Crandon (AP 5/5)
pw1

Relevant Links:
Ban Cyanide at Crandon Mine - http://www.alphacdc.com/treaty/cyanide.html
Nicolet Minerals - http://www.crandonmine.com

Related Stories:
Wis. tribes buying out mine interest for $16.5M (10/29)
Wis. tribes said to be near deal over proposed mine (10/27)
Wis. tribes offered chance to buy burial site (06/30)
Mine near reservation still up for grabs (10/16)
Company bows to tribal pressure on mine (09/18)
Wis. officials scrap talks over mine buyout (09/16) State in talks over mine near reservation (9/6)
Ojibwe tribe discusses mine proposal (9/3)
Mine near Wis. reservation questioned (8/30)
Tribes propose buyout of mine site (6/21)
Wis. tribe's powers left intact (6/4)
Tribal authority challenge denied (6/3)
U.S. backs tribal environmental rights (5/15)
Mine near Wis. reservation upheld (1/30)
Wis. tribe has hopes after cyanide ban (11/7)
State fighting tribal water ruling (11/6)
Wis. might appeal Ojibwe decision (9/25)
Challenge to tribal authority rejected (9/24)
Court rejects challenge to tribal authority (4/17)
EPA Budget: No new tribal grants (4/13)
Pueblo battles arsenic in water standard (4/16)
EPA attorney pleads guilty (06/28)