Mining

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Comment Period for Kensington Mine

 

The 15 day comment period on the reinstatement of the 404 permit for the Kensington Mine is quickly approaching. This critical permit will allow construction of the tailings facility. I have seen the Kensington firsthand. The Lower Slate Lake tailings plan makes the most sense from an environmental and economic standpoint. Millions of dollars have been spent developing this project, and hundreds of high paying jobs are at stake. Please send comments to Mr. Richard Jackson and Colonel Reinhard Koening, CEPOA – RD, PO Box 6898, Elmendorf AFB, Alaska 99506. Email Richard.G.Jackson@usace.army.mil or fax (907) 753-5567.

　

On July 15, the Region 10 EPA issued a letter challenging the Supreme Court decision to uphold Coeur Alaska’s tailings plan. Further unnecessary delay will jeopardize this important opportunity for our southeast citizens to get to work. Please send your comments in today!

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Ninth Circuit Court Lifted Injunction for Kensington

 

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has lifted its injunction regarding the Kensington Gold Mine 404 tailings permit. Coeur announced the reinstatement of the 404 permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and may resume construction of the tailings facility and production may commence as scheduled.

 

"This is great news for Juneau. Months of further delay have been prevented and people will soon be back to work. Coeur Alaska has demonstrated outstanding commitment to Juneau in staying the course on this project. I also appreciate very much the hard work of the Alaska Department of Law in arguing the case before the Supreme Court."

 

Click here for full press release from Coeur.

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Juneau Delegation Urges Cooperation of Environmental Groups 

 

In a letter to Tom Waldo of EarthJustice, Juneau’s legislative delegation, Senator Dennis Egan, and Representatives Cathy Muñoz and Beth Kerttula, express united support of the favorable decision of the U.S. Supreme Court on the Kensington Mine project and urged cooperation of environmental groups involved in the permitting process.　 The economic benefits of the Kensington Mine will have far reaching impacts and will help to diversify Juneau’s economic base with a projected 300 to 400 construction and mining jobs.

　

Senator Egan stated, "The Juneau delegation strongly supports the Kensington and its current permits. This mine will be a big step forward for our economy."

　

Representative Kerttula added, "The economic boost that the Kensington will bring to Southeast is a tremendously positive thing."　

　

Representative Muñoz, "The past months have been very stressful as we awaited the Supreme Court’s decision. Now that things look a lot more hopeful, we want the mine to move forward bringing needed jobs to Southeast Alaska."

See Letter to Tom Waldo: Waldo_Tom_Kensington Gold Mine_6-24-09_Munoz.pdf (39.36 kb)

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Rep. Munoz Applauds U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Kensington Mine

 

The United States Supreme Court voted 6-3 in favor of Coeur Alaska Inc., affirming a previously issued permit for the tailings facility at Kensington Mine. This decision clears the way for the remaining construction and production to commence at the mine. "This is very exciting news for Juneau and Southeast Alaska with the prospect of an estimated 370 direct and indirect jobs. The mine will create economic stimulus and growth throughout Southeast Alaska."

 

"The emotional rollercoaster of waiting out the decision has been stressful on our community. Fortunately, people can get back to work, and a generation or more of employment opportunities await Juneauites eager to find professional employment in mining."

 

By June 2005, Kensington was fully permitted with more than 50 permits issued to operating subsidiary Coeur Alaska Inc. by the U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Environmental Protection Agency, National Marine Fisheries, Alaska departments of Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources as well as the City and Borough of Juneau.

 

It took six years to obtain permits for the Lower Slate Lake tailings disposal option with the help of highly qualified engineers, biologists and water quality specialists.

 

The project was 50 percent constructed when the environmental groups filed their legal challenge, which was later thrown out by the Alaska District Court. Coeur continued to build and when the project was 80 percent complete, the 9th Circuit Appeals Court made its unfavorable ruling.

 

"The decision by the U.S. Supreme Court is the second major victory for Alaskan mining," Muñoz said. "Last fall, Ballot Measure 4 sought to add additional regulatory oversight on large mineral mines in Alaska which would have had serious adverse economic effects on the industry." In August 2008, the initiative was voted down in the statewide primary election.

 

Dennis Wheeler, Chairman, President and CEO of Coeur, was quoted in a press release today stating Kensington has targeted production to being in the later part of 2010.

 

Video: Juneau Celebrates Kensington Decision 

Supreme Court Decision: http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/08pdf/07-984.pdf

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House Passes Resolution to Support Kensington Mine

 

The Alaska State House unanimously passed a resolution, HR12, sponsored by Rep. Cathy Muñoz which re-affirms the House’s long term commitment to the Kensington Gold Mine.

 

The Kensington Mine is a vital project to the community of Juneau. Coeur Alaska has spent more than $30 million on studies to develop the mine in an environmentally responsible fashion, and $33 million on preliminary construction.

 

Due to the August 2006 injunction imposed by the 9th circuit court, some of the 70-plus permits authorizing the mine that were in place are now in jeopardy. Decision of the U.S. Supreme Court is imminent, and should the Court rule in favor of the mine, the federal and state agencies need to be ready to assist Coeur in seeking continuations and reinstatement of these important operational permits.

 

Click for Juneau Empire article, House Majority press release, and letter from Dennis Wheeler from COEUR: COEUR Ltr.pdf (27.83 kb)