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Protesters Confront Mining Co. At Wisconsin Site

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A company looking to dig a huge iron mine just south of Lake Superior is having problems with protesters.

Wisconsin Public Radio reports Gogebic Taconite employees encountered about 15 protesters at the site as they began exploratory drilling on Tuesday morning.

Iron County Sheriff Tony Furyk issued a press release Wednesday saying the protesters had scattered into nearby woods by the time officers arrived. He says investigators are looking into allegations one of the protesters stole a geologist's cell phone and camera.

WPR reports authorities said there were reports of vandalism and barricades blocking the site. Furyk's release made no mention of those reports. He didn't immediately return a message left at his office.

(© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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