MADISON - Tensions between state regulators and a company that wants to put an open pit iron mine in northern Wisconsin could be a sign of more conflict yet to come.

Gogebic Taconite and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources got into a public dispute last week.

They argued over how much regulatory authority remains in the agency's hands.

That's after a 2013 law rolled back environmental restrictions to make mining easier.

The dispute over what is allowed and what isn't under the mining law may be a preview of what is to come when the company seeks a permit for the mine.

Company spokesman Bob Seitz says rounds and rounds of questions from an overzealous DNR have delayed the process.

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