March 7, 1998
News Release from the Headwaters Group of Northern Thunder
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact (715) 334-2271

 
Several residents in Cleveland Township and surrounding communities in northern Jackson County reported seeing what appears to be a metallic mining reconnaissance plane flying low over their properties.  A small single-engine plane with a cylindrical unit trailing 30 or 40 feet
behind the plane on a cable is the first step in metallic mining exploration.

Sophisticated electronic monitoring equipment in the plane and the attached module measures the electromagnetic resonance of ground beneath, indicating the potential for deep-earth mineral deposits.  Kennecott Exploration used a similar device to survey this same territory several years ago before signing metallic mining leases with scores of landowners in the region and before seeking (unsuccessfully) to lease thousands of acres of county forest land in Clark, Jackson and Eau Claire Counties.

Flight paths were in a more-or-less north/south direction, moving across the region in a regular sweep from east to west.  The plane was sighted as far south as Pigeon Falls and as far north as the Eau Claire County border near Fairchild.

Tom Wilson of the Headwaters Group of Northern Thunder explained that “We do not know at this time if this overhead survey work is being done by Kennecott or some other mining company interested in deposits in our area.  We put in a call to Kennecott Exploration Project Director Hans Rasmussen, but he failed to return our call.  Given the signs we have received recently from Kennecott, we suspect they may be planning on either canceling their local leases or possibly selling those exploration and purchase rights to another firm.  This new mining company may be sponsoring these overflights to confirm Kennecott’s data on electromagnetic anomalies.”

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department reported that they had heard nothing from any mining companies or air services regarding the present overflights, although Kennecott had, in fact, notified them at the time of their initial survey work.  Just last week, Kennecott’s Rasmussen assured a reporter at the "Black River Falls Banner Journal" that their company was not seeking any new exploration leases in this area.

Cleveland Township Board Chairman John Kariger is not immediately concerned since he feels the Township has fairly strong protections in place against unpermitted ground exploration, but he did express concern with the apparent secrecy associated with this activity.  “On more than  one occasion,” Kariger explains, “Kennecott assured us they wanted to ‘work with us’ - be open and above board in all their local activity.  If they are in fact either resuming their efforts at minerals exploration or are considering selling their leases in our community, we would like them to come forward and keep us informed.  If this is a new company interested in exploring in our area, here too we would ask that they keep us in the loop as to their activities and intentions.”

Wilson added a footnote that if, in fact, this is a totally new company interested in muscling in on Kennecott’s territory, Rasmussen ought to thank this group for keeping them informed of this invasive activity by an industry rival.

For further information contact:
John Kariger—Chairman Cleveland Town Board  (715)334-4241
Hans Rasmussen—Kennecott Exploration Corporation (801) 238-2413