Hardrock Mining in Alaska

Mining Activities
Alaska is home to the largest national parks and wilderness areas in the U.S., but it is also the site of some of the largest sources of pollution in the nation.  According to the U.S. EPA, the single largest source of toxic pollution in the U.S. in 2002 (the most recent year for which data are available) is a large zinc mine in Alaska.  The Red Dog mine in the northwest Arctic released 481.6 million pounds of toxic pollution in 2002.  That same year the Greens Creek mine near Juneau - the largest operating silver mine in the U.S. - was responsible for 37.1 million pounds of toxic releases.

Despite the huge oil and gas industry presence in Alaska, the Cook Inlet Keeper recently reported that three out of the four largest illegal industrial spills in Alaska in 2003, including the largest spill of all, were caused by the mining industry.

Existing mines and others slated for development clearly threaten Alaska's communities, wildlands, and unique national treasures. There are currently 35,700 state mining claims and 8,700 federal claims in Alaska and these numbers are set to increase dramatically in what the Lt. Governor has called "Alaska's second gold rush."

Area of specific concern: Lake Iliamna, Alaska
Northern Dynasty Minerals, a Canadian Mining Company based in Vancouver, BC, is working to develop North America's largest open pit gold mine in the Lake Iliamna region of southwest Alaska. The Pebble Projectis located on state land in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska.

Caribou in the Bristol Bay region, downstream from Iliamna Lake. Credit: Southwest Alaska Conservation Coalition

Situated just north of Lake Iliamna, Alaska's biggest lake, the Pebble Project is in the heart of some of Alaska's most pristine and robust wildlife habitat. Local villages, such as Nondalton, Iliamna, and Newhalen, depend on the Mulchatna caribou herd and rich salmon runs for subsistence. The Nushagak-Mulchatna river system and the Lake Iliamna watershed, including the Kvichak River, host the world's largest runs of Chinook and sockeye salmon, respectively. In addition, the area is renowned for sport fishingand is the only designated Trophy Rainbow Trout region in Alaska. The region is also home to many thriving fishing and hunting lodges, other small businesses, and vibrant native cultures and communities.  If this mine proposal and associated roads go forward, it is likely that the entire Iliamna region will become Alaska's newest mining district.

Local residents and businesses that depend on the rich biological resources and the remote, pristine nature of the Lake Iliamna region are concerned that the development of a hardrock open pit mine will adversely affect existing uses.

"It's right in the heart of where we get our fish. It's also where the Mulchatna caribou herd gathers." -Karen Stickman, native of Nondalton, AK

"There are certain places that should be left alone. You can't bring a project of that size online without polluting something, without having an accident or without having a screw-up...If it contaminates the river, my business would be completely done."
-Brian Kraft, owner of Alaska Sportsman's Lodge on the Kvichak River.

For More Information

    *Alaskans for Responsible Mining
      
    * Northern Alaska Environmental Center

    * Renewable Resources Coalition
       
    * Red Dog zinc mine, Alaska:
      Persistent Toxic Pollution Threatens Native Village
      
    * Kensington Mine Proposal Threatens Berners Bay, Alaska