Marathon County’s geology makes it an ideal area for diversified sources of high-quality nonmetallic minerals including sand and gravel for concrete; clay for making impervious liners; rotten granite for our rural roads; sandstone for architecture and landscaping; and hard rock granite for dimension stone. These minerals are extracted from the earth through nonmetallic mining operations, commonly referred to as “pits and quarries.”

In 1989, Marathon County adopted Chapter 21 – Nonmetallic Mining Reclamation Code (per Wis. Admin. Code NR135) to provide uniform reclamation standards and environmental protections during and after the mining process. All nonmetallic mines must maintain a valid reclamation permit, including a reclamation plan for the site. This plan describes the post-mining land use and site restoration. This program is a collaborative partnership between industry and Marathon County to make Marathon County the preferred place, to live, work, visit and do business.

Non-Metallic Mining in Marathon County

Metallic Mining

The Reef Deposit, containing an estimated 120,000 ounces of gold, is a geological anomaly located in the Town of Easton.  The Reef Deposit laid dormant until the 1970’s and 80’s when Noranda Exploration, a Canadian mining company, commenced exploratory drilling.  In 2011, Aquila Resources Inc., a development-stage company based in Toronto, Canada, purchased options on the mineral and surface rights.  They drilled an additional 35 exploratory boreholes in 2011-2012.  The Reef Deposit is currently owned by Greenlight Metals, based out of Toronto, Canada.

On December 11, 2017, Governor Scott Walker signed the Nonferrous Metallic Mining Bill (Act 134) into law, paving the way for metallic mining in Wisconsin.  Due to this legislation, deposits like the Reef are potentially open to metallic mining.  Recognizing the significance of this, Marathon County engaged stakeholders, hearing their concerns, partnerships formed to draft ordinance language, which was ultimately adopted.  This ordinance language provides a framework for reasonable local control and protections as it pertains to metallic mining in Marathon County.

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