Energy and Mining

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation reported the spill of up to 400,000 gallons of water used at a large lead and zinc mine in Northern Alaska early Wednesday. According to the department, the spill of “process water” occurred at about 2:30 a.m. at the Red Dog Mine, located around 80 miles north of Kotzebue.

Last week, the Army Corps of Engineers approved key permits that Teck needs to begin building an exploration road to the deposits, which would cross 20 acres of wetlands.

The two deposits Teck wants to explore are on state land, which could mean less mining revenue for NANA. The deposits, called Anarraaq and Aktigirug, are farther below the surface and would require underground mining, instead of the open pit mining Red Dog currently uses.

The state of Alaska’s investment authority board has agreed to put $35 million towards the controversial Ambler Road project. The funding is matched by Ambler Metals, the mining company looking to use the road to access mineral deposits in the region

The company’s plans for resource development in the region are still several years away. Most of the work right now is in preliminary surveys and drilling. Trilogy CEO Tony Giardini says getting approval from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority on the controversial Ambler Road project is the first major step in the region.

The route would span 211 miles from the Dalton Highway and cross Gates of the Arctic National Park to get to the Ambler Mining District in Northwest Alaska.

The Ambler Road project, has been a lightning rod for controversy for years, pitting the desire to expand business and mining interests in the state against the concerns over impacts to the environment and subsistence.