Greens Creek Mine has received the go-ahead to begin exploration for new ore deposits adjacent to its Admiralty Island sulfide mine.
“The Forest Service has approved exploratory drilling in an inventoried roadless area for the Greens Creek Mine,” U.S. Forest Service Alaska Regional Forester Beth Pendleton Greens Creek Mine said in a recent press release.
The underground mine is owned by Hecla Mining Company.
Greens Creek plans to transport its drill rigs by helicopter.
It does not plan to build roads. Site reclamation will be completed after drilling operations are done, Pendleton said.
The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council played a role in the Roadless Rule case.
According to a written statement, SEACC is “not surprised by the Forest Service’s action” as mining activities such as road construction and tree-clearing for helicopter pads are covered by the Mining Law of 1872.
SEACC said this action is indication that earlier concerns about the Roadless Rule were unfounded.
“Concerns were raised when the Tongass exemption for the Roadless Rule was lifted by the courts last spring, but they were unnecessary, as underscored by this action,” SEACC wrote.
Concern instead should be directed to the impacts associated with the toxic waste produced by the mine “and the impacts of disposing and diluting this waste into our environment,” SEACC wrote. “We are engaged in a public process currently underway related to a tailings disposal expansion at the mine.”
Exploration will take place within the Admiralty Island National Monument and the Greens Creek Inventoried Roadless Area, according to the Forest Service press release. Drilling is expected to affect 1.25 acres. Greens Creek will explore from 11 drill platform sites.
National Environmental Protection Act analysis has been completed for this Greens Creek exploration.
• Contact reporter Russell Stigall at 523-2276 or at russell.stigall@juneauempire.com.
Comments (38)
Add commentSo what happens...
...if their drilling uncovers another large deposit? Will they then have to get an exemption to develop it? What about the tailings pile? Will they be able to use their existing mill and pile?
Site reclamation = covering
Site reclamation = covering up toxic waste.
Out of sight out of mind approach is good for mining company profits but bad for Alaskans, especially future Alaskans.
The waste leaches into the ground and into our water ways.
Also, the Mining industry pays Zero in royalties to the Federal Gov. they lease public land (for what amounts to pennies) but under the old mining laws they "own" our minerals. These mega mines are robbing the publics gold and silver right out from under us - creating multmillionaire CEO's while sticking the public and our kids with a pile of toxic waste.
Attempts to fix the 1872 year old mining law have been fought down in Congress by the mining lobbyist association. The old mining act was only intended to encourage people i.e. "FAMLIES" to populate the old west, it was not intended to open up our public lands to todays mega mining operations that are getting rich off public resources - while the public gets the shaft.
I dont care that Greens Creek creates jobs in SE. Our fisheries creates more jobs than all the mines in Alaska combined. But these mines are KILLING our fisheries. Mega mines do not belong anywhere on this planet. They are about greed.
The thing is if we did not allow these mines to operate like they do, then we would have developed better policies, better ways of doing things to meet our needs.
These mines are taking advantage of old mining laws and those laws never intended to cause the sort of distruction that we are all living with today.
sefisher
Greens Creek is a "mega mine"?? By what measure?
And what size mine would you deem appropriate?
lat. to me a mega mine is a
lat. to me a mega mine is a mine that produces tons of ore.
tons of ore
One cubic yard of ore will weigh a bit over two tons.
So by your definition, any mine that produces a single cubic yard of ore is a "mega mine".
Wanna try that definition again?
Tons?
One small tunneling blast yields 20 to 30 tons. That makes every mine a mega mine by your standards, sefisher. All of Greens Creeks expansions have been developed underground and utilize the same portal and the same mill. Tailings are used to backfill the stopes. There should be little or no increase in the size of the footprint. 1.25 acres used for drill pads will be reclaimed by the rain forest in no time.
Talk about "mega mines"
The proposed Pebble Mine will be a "mega mine"... from what I have heard, it will be an open pit mine, 3-4 miles wide 4-5 miles long 4,000 feet deep. After the mining they say it will become a lake 4,000 feet deep....... Does anyone believe that the European developers will be around 20 to 50 years from now if there is a disaster? Like others in Alaska over the centuries, once they have taken all the resource they can for profit, I suspect they will fade into the world of extinct, bankrupt companies, or sold to others who won't clean up the mess.
Compared to that scenario, Green's Creek looks pretty good so far.
skirkz -Yep. The mining
skirkz -
Yep. The mining operations today are just too big. One of the main concerns about all the toxic waste in SE is that we live in a "rain forest'. The resulting rain fall accelerates the leaching of toxins into the ground, there are also problems with over flow from containment sites etc...
Waste problems are not solved by covering waste up with soil, then seeding etc... Which is what Greens Creek is doing.
I cant think of any problems that simply vanished when I buried my head.
wally -
I don't think our kids are going to look back and give us kudos for allowing this to happen; that the size of Greens Crk mine is the lessor of 2 evils is no excuse
I have yet to hear of any
I have yet to hear of any real major environmental issues at Greens Creek. Seems they have been pretty good neighbors.
Kpaw - ocean acidification
Kpaw -
ocean acidification is a result of cumulative pollution from multiple sources, and mining is one. There are other issues like the misuse of public land and the fact that todays extraction industries are taking "all of our resources" from the easiest of places to get to.
what's a future child to do?
I dont think you'll find any
I dont think you'll find any evidence to support a direct link between Greens Creek and ocean acidification. Nice try though
Ocean acidification is caused
Ocean acidification is caused by carbonic acid, which is created when CO2 dissolves in water. Mining isn't a significant contributor, unless you consider the product of coal mining.
Lesser of two evils
skirkz In real life few, if any projects, turn out perfect. There are always trade offs. In my personal view the Pebble project is a disaster just waiting to happen if it is approved. But Green's Creek mine may be as close as we will ever get to being OK ...as far as mineral extraction in Alaska.
I guess I'm prejudiced because years ago, before they began any mining the Green's Creek people called me and asked if I knew of any archaeological sites, historical sites or any other important sites that might be impacted if they were to have such a mine. I felt then, and still do, that yes there will be problems, but they were and continue to be cautious and open regarding potential problems. It may be as close as we can get to a good compromise between industry and environment.
By the way, this is not an endorsement or complete approval , nor a paid advertisement - Its just my personal view.
5 Houses
The disturbed area is equivalent to the square footage of 5 builing lots for a home. Admiralty Island is about 955,747 acres. We are talking about an area of 0.0000013 of the total area of Admiralty Island.
That should be of little concern for people and this is a temporary disturbance that will be "restored" to a similar state prior to drilling.
In regards to the acidification of oceans there have been some articles in the paper and you will find that the major cause is CO2 released by motor vehicles, coal fired power plants, factories.....Greens Creek largely operates on hydro power meaning the acidfication of the oceans caused by Greens Creek should be extremely small-mostly relating to the operation of trucks, loaders...Greens Creek provides a lot of high paying jobs that benefit the whole community including fishermen. Having more businesses in Juneau provides more choices and competition when purchasing items for your boat, food, fuel....etc
Size Matters
Greens Creek presently processes in excess of 2,200 tons of ore per day and produces about 267,000 tons of Toxic tailings including . In 2009, Greens Creek disposed of or transferred 23,600 tons of toxic waste including arsenic, lead, mercury and zinc most of which ended up in a 100 acre tailings dump at the head of Tributary Creek, an andromous salmon stream.
The current dump will be filled to capacity by 2014. They are currently requesting a new expansion that will cover an additional 60 acres.
It is also the second largest producer of toxic waste in Alaska.
The creek sure didnt smell
The creek sure didnt smell like the mine was affecting the salmon run this year. I love how two years ago all the little greenies were crowing about how Kensington needed to do it like we do, do it right, dry stack. Now that kensingtons out of the lime light alittle they all have their sights set on greens creek. This mine has been good to me, my family, my friends, and the community. We try our hardest to be good to the environment and do everything in our power the do it right. Get over yourselves, your kind has put enough people out of work in this country
ugminer? it certainly is not
ugminer? it certainly is not the "greenies" that have put people out of work in this country.
Me me me my my my....maybe you need to get over yourself and consider the concerns of other people that also have to live in this community.
I normally do not go off on people but I am so very tired of people like yourself that put down people who care about the environment as you trash, rape, degrade, spoil, pollute and live off our "public lands". What a nerve.
yep
yep, your right. it is about me. i was born and raised in this town and have worked for this mine for 15 years. and i am very proud of what we have accomplished out here. trashing, raping, degrading??? obviously you've never seen the operation. and i would rather live off public land then wait for a friggin hand out from the government. and i will never get over myself, i've busted my ass for everything i have...
I've been around Greens Creek
I wouldn't characterize it as being "despoiled". They do a pretty good job there. Responsible neighbors. Yes, there are impacts from mining, but they've been diligent about minimizing them, and making sure their crew is safe and respectful of the environment.
Not so sure I can say the same about Kensington yet...
Mining in Alaska...
...has been a gigantic pain in the arse. I'm not complaining. I started mining in 1976. I understand the process. I have never seen such environment scrutiny of the process and I've never seen such environmental consciousness exhibited by mining companies as I've witnessed at the AJ, Greens Creek and Kensington mines. Conversely, I've never seen such petty activism and flat out whining to the point of job killing obstructionism as I've witnessed here. I have no problem with watch dogs. That's a good thing. Regulation makes sense as well. I don't approve of corporations raping and pillaging unchecked while treating their hands like numbers. I must say that, though not perfect, things have improved greatly in the last 36 years (not to mention the thousands of years that minerals, metals and stone have been hewn from the earth). But, I have little tolerance for uneducated, whiny hypocrites spewing their ignorant rants while they benefit from the very resources being extracted. Take fishermen for instance. Aside from all the mined substances that make their vessels float and go, there is also that mined product that fishing boats put more of into the ocean than all the mines put together. Sacraficial metal. Yep, the zinc plates that they attach to hulls, outdrives, etc., are used to corrode more readily than the expensive metals they are attached to to keep electrolysis from eating up their boats. Where does it go? Into the ocean. Intentional pollution. There is no enumerating the uses of mined substances that we depend on. We are mining dependent. That will never change. Got a problem with who mines it? You try it!
wait
i'm gonna have to say it isn't all about me. if i had a doubt in my mind that greens creek isn't currently doing everything in their power to ensure things are done properly, i wouldn't be so proud or even work there. like i said, this is my home, always has been, always will. i would never settle for a company destroying my backyard. i want to see everyone in Juneau and the surrounding communitys, no matter what their environmnetal views are, enjoy the outdoors in the way they choose, kayaks to 750HP nitro ski boats, what ever they choose. i truely believe greens creek will never affect this part of our lives, or future generations'.
Here's to you ugminer1 (lifts
Here's to you ugminer1 (lifts a chilled glass of Alaskan IPA)!
Miner's, fisherman, loggers, oilmen and any other natural resource extractors need to make sure they do it right or they will screw it up for themselves, their children and later descendants. I'm not just talking about the CEO's and stockholders I'm talking about the boots on the ground who can see what's going on and can take pride that their operation is an efficient, clean, and professional one that is not willing to mortgage the future for short lived wealth today.
Keep hauling in those fish, bringing up that ore, and bringing lumber to the mill for our kids use today and tomorrow......
Actually, Greens Creek has
Actually, Greens Creek has had a number of violations over the years. Also the fact is that mines generate tons of toxic waste and regardless of any precautions taken the toxins do leach into the surrounding water bodies. This is a big problem for all of us. I also do not like the idea of Greens Creek expanding.
Highflyer, examples please...
Highflyer, can you honestly say that Greens Creek tailings have negatively impacted or killed a single fish, deer, bear or human on Admiralty Island?
If so, I think those from Juneau and Angoon that have regularly hunted and shared the bounty of the island over the last two decades will disagree with you!
Curious...
I am just wondering how many of the people who are so opposed to this expansion are writing these comments from a (MINED) gold containing computer or cell phone? Maybe if you were able to give up all of these things we have because of mining, you would be allowed to voice your opinions. It is completely hypocrytical of you to be saying these things from your metal containing device, while sitting inside a building made of wood or steel, wearing a wedding ring or other jewelery made of metal or stones, and drinking coffee from a metal thermos. Mining touches every aspect of our lives, from our cars to the sewing machines that made our clothes. I can't imagine a life without it. There is no reason to bring your negativity to hard working families, such as my own, who have loved ones that sacrifice there time and bodies for this industry. So please, KEEP IT TO YOURSELVES!
socializing risk taking while privatizing profits
There is a combined effect on animals, fisheries, and the public from mine tailing, toxins, environmental degradation over time and for years to come ...changes in genes, cells, tissues, body chemical processes, basic body functions, and reproductive success, appear before more severe disturbances occur in populations and ecosystems...
What do you really need to see before you understand the negative impacts? Just look up health risks from exposures to lead, which Greens Creek mines.
Not only this but we are giving our minerals away to corporations and assuming huge environmental risks not only for today but also for our future generations.
This is socializing risk taking while privatizing profits.
Revised post
Thought my first post got deleted, so I tried to recreate it. If they both get posted, sorry, but they both equally express what I was trying to say.
duplicate
duplicate
Same arguement was made about slavery
AKlove the idea that something was so ingrained into our lives that we could not live without it was used to fight abolition. The idea that someone who uses something has no right to comment is also found to be false in the writings of Jefferson.
@alaskaguy
You are right that I may have been in the wrong by saying they have no right, just want them to think twice about their world and what they have before people decide to speak out. And also, just because I say I couldn't imagine my life without it, does not mean that I think we need all the things it provides. But there will always be a need for things, such as shelter (not going to list it all), that these style of industries provide.
And I must say how nice it was to see a respectful response to a post, even if you did not agree with it... so kudos for that. People should learn from that example!