The security agency that was hired by Gogebic Taconite to protect its proposed mine site in northern Wisconsin is standing down as it seeks a license to operate in the state, the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reported.

A spokesman for mining firm Gogebic Taconite LLC said Wednesday that his firm had asked Bulletproof Securities to withdraw its guards from the proposed mine area until it obtains a license to operate in the state. Informed by a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Wednesday that the security firm was unlicensed, the district attorney for Iron County also said that he would look into the matter.

The decision by Gogebic to pull back the guards was a change from the mining company's stance of just a day before, when spokesman Bob Seitz said Gogebic was keeping Bulletproof's paramilitary-style guards at the site despite of criticism from mine opponents. The Bulletproof guards had been operating at the mine site since July 4 without the proper state license, Seitz acknowleged.

"Until they get the license we've had them stand down. They were unaware apparently that they needed that...This isn't a normal thing for any of us, I guess," Seitz said.

Bulletproof Securities President Tom Parrella said Wednesday that his firm, based in Scottsdale, AZ, holds a number of federal and out-of-state licenses for its experienced staff and has applied for the Wisconsin license. Parrella said Wednesday that Bulletproof had been hired with little notice and had not expected the public attention that has focused on the firm’s role in the proposed mine site in Iron County.