UPDATE: Wednesday, November 28, 2012 --- 12:50 p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker says he is confident that mining company Gogebic Taconite will return to Wisconsin if the Legislature passes a bill making it easier for them to open an iron ore mine.

Walker made his comments Wednesday after a speech at Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, which has advocated for passage of a mining bill.

The Legislature could not reach agreement on a mining bill last year. Walker drew applause at his speech when he mentioned the need to pass a bill, saying it would bring thousands of jobs to northern Wisconsin where the mine would be located.

Florida-based Gogebic said it was giving up on the mine after the bill failed. But Walker says he thinks it would come back if a bill similar to last year's passes.

Copyright 2012: Associated Press

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Posted Monday, November 26, 2012 --- 11:00 a.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Gov. Scott Walker says he is confident the Republican-controlled Legislature will pass a mining bill next year, but he won't sign anything he believes will hurt the environment.

Walker told The Associated Press in a Monday interview that he believes the June recall election against him made it more difficult for the mining bill to pass this year.

Lawmakers could not reach a compromise on the bill despite pressure from a company looking to open a new iron ore mine in northern Wisconsin near Lake Superior.

Walker says he would look at a bill that would do away with the state's 15-year-old "moratorium" on mines that produce polluting acids, but he doesn't want anything that would jeopardize the state's tourism and agriculture industries.

Copyright 2012: Associated Press