Any applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that might result in a discharge into navigable waters, in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) of 1977 (PL95-217), also must apply for and obtain certification from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation that the discharge will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws.
Notice is hereby given that a request for a CWA §401 Water Quality Certification of a Department of the Army Permit application, Corps of Engineers’ PN Reference Number indicated above has been received for the discharge of dredged and/or fill materials into waters of the United States (WOUS), including wetlands, as described below, and shown on the project figures/drawings. The public notice and related project figures/drawings are accessible from the DEC website at http://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/.
To comment on the project or request for a public hearing with respect to water quality, submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice site at https://water.alaskadec.commentinput.com/?id=fTrhm on or before the public notice expiration date listed above.
Applicant: Northern Star Resources, Ltd (NSR) Michael Eckert, PO Box 145 Delta Junction, AK 99737; (907) 895-2834; meckert@nsrltd.com.
Project Name: Pogo Mine Expansion
Location: The proposed activity is located within Section 25, 26, T. 5 S, R. 14 E; Fairbanks Meridian; in Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska. Project Site: Latitude 64.45350640, Longitude -144.90451040, With potential discharge location(s) as follows: Laydown Fill Pad and Road 64.455919, -144.910686; Dry Stack Tailings Facility (DSTF), Expansion 64.445354, -144.877660.
Purpose: The Project Purpose is to expand existing facilities at the Pogo Mine to operate economically and safely for 10 additional years. NSR requires an approved, permitted and contained place for tailings and waste rock in order to operate. NSR will expand an existing laydown area for safe truck operation and equipment storage. The updated and larger sized surface fleet requires additional road and storage space. The mine will continue as an underground mine at the increased production rate using the surface mill and DSTF. No change to existing access roads, power lines or other components are planned by this action.
At the end of mining activities, the DSTF and associated diversion ditches will be reclaimed and closed according to the approved Reclamation and Closure Plan. The mine is bonded to ensure this activity. As part of the DSTF Expansion and permit renewals, the Pogo Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan and Reclamation Cost Estimate will be updated for these proposed changes.
Project Description: Pogo is an operational underground gold mine that was purchased by Northern Star Resources, Ltd (NSR) in 2018. Over the past three years NSR has taken the Pogo Mine from certain closure to continued operation and expansion. During that time, NSR increased output from the mine by 30% and optimized the equipment fleet with new underground haul trucks and higher utilization with larger 60-ton haul trucks on the surface. NSR is currently operating the mine at increased production rates with the mill expansion completed in 2021. Due to the increase in material production of both tailings and waste rock, NSR needs to expand the Pogo Mine Dry Stack Tailings Facility (DSTF), as it is nearing its 20 Million ton (Mt) capacity. The existing DSTF is expected to fill up by the end of 2023. The proposed expansion will increase capacity to 32 Mt capacity and increase the life of the DSTF by approximately 10 years.
The DSTF is a co-disposal waste storage facility that contains tailings and mineralized rock placed in compacted layers. Non-mineralized rock is used for construction of embankment shells, construction of the roads around the DSTF, lining of the perimeter of the DSTF for drainage, and for the underdrain system below the DSTF. The DSTF is situated in the upper part of Liese Creek Valley, upgradient of the underground mine workings, mill facilities, and Recycled Tailings Pond (RTP). To manage non-contact water, there is a set of diversion ditches above the dry stack to divert water from Liese Creek North Fork and South Fork to an area below the RTP. As the DSTF continues to rise with new material, new diversion ditches will be constructed at a higher elevation and tied into the existing system.
To continue mine operation for the next ten years additional laydown space and road widening is required. NSR will expand Road 8 and the Ruen Laydown area for safety and equipment storage. The mine will continue to operate using the permitted and constructed facilities in the Liese Creek Valley.
After reviewing the application, the Department may certify there is reasonable assurance the activity, and any discharge that might result, will comply with the CWA, the Alaska Water Quality Standards, and other applicable State laws. The Department also may deny or waive certification.
The permit application and associated documents are available for review. For inquires or to request copies of the documents, contact dec-401cert@alaska.gov, or call 907-269-6285.
Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice
The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Jason Burnett at 907-269-3056 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 prior to the expiration date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.