mining

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.

Forest Service set to approve Kensington expansion

Objections period is open.

Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File Coeur Alaska will likely be able to expand their facilities at the Kensington Gold Mine including the Tailing Treatment Facility, seen here in this October 2019 photo, after the U.S. Forest Service announced it intends to approve the company’s proposal to extend the mine’s life by 10 years. Operations were expected to end in 2023 under a plan approved in 2005.
The Tailings Treatment Facility at Kensington Gold Mine, seen here on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, will need to be expanded in order for the mine to operate for another 10 years. Environmentalists are concerned about pollutants from the mine contaminating local waters. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Kensington public comment period extended

Another 10 years?

The Tailings Treatment Facility at Kensington Gold Mine, seen here on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, will need to be expanded in order for the mine to operate for another 10 years. Environmentalists are concerned about pollutants from the mine contaminating local waters. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)

Tulsequah Chief Mine moves closer to clean up

60 years of effort.

In this October 2018 photo, Bjorn Dihle inspects the acid mine drainage flowing into the Tulsequah River from a containment pond filled by effluent from the Tulsequah Chief Mine in British Columbia, Canada. (Courtesy Photo | Chris Miller)
The Tailings Treatment Facility and Upper Slate Lake at the Kensington Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. The mine's owner Coeur Alaska wants to expand the life of Kengsington by at least 10 years which will require expansion of the lake which is a concern to environmentalists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)

Coeur is committed to environment in expansion, mine manager says

Public comment ends Dec. 14.

The Tailings Treatment Facility and Upper Slate Lake at the Kensington Mine on Monday, Oct. 14, 2019. The mine's owner Coeur Alaska wants to expand the life of Kengsington by at least 10 years which will require expansion of the lake which is a concern to environmentalists. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File)
This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)

Opinion: Red Dog has strong environmental track record

Every year the EPA issues its annual Toxic Release (TRI) Inventory, and every year it creates confusion and misinformation regarding the Red Dog zinc mine… Continue reading

This Toxics Release Inventory map included in the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual TRI analysis shows facilities throughout the state that reported the release of toxic chemicals to the EPA. Releases include permitted releases and movement of waste rock. (Courtesy Photo | Environmental Protection Agency)
EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release

EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release

Mining is a big reason why.

EPA: Alaska led nation in toxic chemical release
Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Pebble Mine opposition: Wrong mine for the wrong place

Public comment period ends in days.

Judy Cavanaugh stands with others at a rally against the Pebble Mine in front of Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s Juneau office on Tuesday. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
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Live: Rally to stop Pebble Mine permitting happening outside Sen. Murkowski’s office
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Live: Rally to stop Pebble Mine permitting happening outside Sen. Murkowski’s office

Live coverage of the Juneau “No Pebble Mine” rally.

Live: Rally to stop Pebble Mine permitting happening outside Sen. Murkowski’s office
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Competition trains rescuers for dire mining circumstances

Competition trains rescuers for dire mining circumstances

Two Hecla teams did well.

Competition trains rescuers for dire mining circumstances
Exploration continues for mine near Haines

Exploration continues for mine near Haines

It’s still years away from becoming operational.

Exploration continues for mine near Haines
8 senators send letter urging more transboundary water quality oversight from British Columbia

8 senators send letter urging more transboundary water quality oversight from British Columbia

Mining impact on shared waters prompts action.

8 senators send letter urging more transboundary water quality oversight from British Columbia
British Columbia mining standards put Alaskans at risk, experts say

British Columbia mining standards put Alaskans at risk, experts say

Lawmakers hope the governor will be an advocate.

British Columbia mining standards put Alaskans at risk, experts say
Scientists: Pebble Mine study doesn’t account for all risks

Scientists: Pebble Mine study doesn’t account for all risks

Group says Army Corps study does not pass as credible science.

Scientists: Pebble Mine study doesn’t account for all risks
Filmmaker talks digging into proposed Chilkat Valley mining project
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Filmmaker talks digging into proposed Chilkat Valley mining project

‘Rock, Paper, Fish’ takes a skeptical, nuanced look at proposed Palmer Project.

Filmmaker talks digging into proposed Chilkat Valley mining project
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Opinion: AIDEA is critical to resource development in Alaska

Opinion: AIDEA is critical to resource development in Alaska

The state needs to develop its abundant natural resources.

Opinion: AIDEA is critical to resource development in Alaska
The wall of the Red Chris tailings pond is a little less than 350 feet, or about the height of a 35-story building. It follows the same design as the Mount Polley tailings dam, which broke in 2014, sending 24 million cubic meters of toxic mine tailings into the Fraser River watershed. It is designed, however, to hold 305 million cubic meters of mine waste — seven times more than Mount Polley. Both mines are owned by Imperial Metals. (Courtesy Photo | Garth Lenz via Salmon State)

Could Canadian mine be cautionary tale for Southeast?

Experts weigh in on environmental and economic hazards.

The wall of the Red Chris tailings pond is a little less than 350 feet, or about the height of a 35-story building. It follows the same design as the Mount Polley tailings dam, which broke in 2014, sending 24 million cubic meters of toxic mine tailings into the Fraser River watershed. It is designed, however, to hold 305 million cubic meters of mine waste — seven times more than Mount Polley. Both mines are owned by Imperial Metals. (Courtesy Photo | Garth Lenz via Salmon State)
British Columbia, Canada. (Unsplash)

Operations suspended at Canada’s Mount Polly mine

Declining copper prices are to blame.

British Columbia, Canada. (Unsplash)
Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Electric rates about to rise

That sunny summer is to blame.

Alaska Electric Light and Power Company Lemon Creek operations center in Juneau on Wednesday, July 19, 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Opinion: Tulsequah Chief, all over again

Alaskans are worried Red Chris could go the same way.

Katie McCaffrey racing the Herbert Glacier Trail. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)

Photos: Biking and hiking Herbert Glacier

Over the weekend Katie McCaffrey and I spent almost eight hours approaching and exploring the Herbert Glacier at mile 28 on the Juneau road system.… Continue reading

Katie McCaffrey racing the Herbert Glacier Trail. (Gabe Donohoe | For the Juneau Empire)