Planning Commission OKs permit for Kensington Mine

The Juneau Planning Commission approved a proposed allowable-use permit for the Kensington gold mine Tuesday night.

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Commissioners Marshall Kendziorek and Jacqueline Fowler opposed the permit and Maria Gladziszewski abstained in the 6-2 vote.

In response to criticism from a Southeast Alaska environmental group, Coeur Alaska said Tuesday night that its proposed mine meets requirements for a city permit.

The company also clarified some issues that the Southeast Alaska Conservation Council this week called "unanswered questions" that had not been adequately addressed in Juneau's planning report on the gold mine. Those issues included refueling and dust control at the mine, which would be 45 miles northwest of downtown Juneau.

Coeur Alaska provided a written response to the Juneau-based environmental group's comments at the Tuesday hearing. Company officials stated at the hearing that refueling operations will occur at Slate Creek Cove, on the western side of Berners Bay, and that the mine will only use dust suppressants approved by the Alaska Department of Transportation.

The company disagreed with the environmental group's contention that the project does not meet the city's requirement that it fulfill a "significant public need."

Coeur Alaska also asked for some minor changes to be made to the city's proposed list of conditions before the planning commission votes on the permit - such as not requiring watering to control dust during icy or cold conditions.

Planning commissioner Marshall Kendziorek peppered city, state and Coeur officials with questions about the project during the hearing. He said he is worried by the fact that the company and public officials haven't pegged a location for storage of additional mine waste.

Coeur Alaska has stated it could operate the mine beyond its proposed 10-year mine life. However, the proposed use of Lower Slate Lake, near the mine, for mine tailings storage would only address those 10 years of operation.

City planning supervisor Peter Freer said that issue could be handled in the future by new permit applications or permit modifications requiring approval by regulators and local officials.

Also during the hearing, a number of Juneau and Haines environmentalists spoke against the project. The Kake Tribal Corporation and some local residents spoke for the project.

"Coeur's view is that the project has been extensively studied," said Rick Richins, Coeur Alaska's project manager for the Kensington Gold Project. "It's the least environmentally damaging alternative," he said.

Richins estimated the mine will provide just under $1 million in annual city tax revenue and a total of $9-10 million over the life of the project.

• Elizabeth Bluemink can be reached at elizabeth.bluemink@juneauempire.com.