NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water received an application for a renewal of the Constantine Reclamation Plan Approval (RPA). The continued activity including construction of an underground ramp, underground exploration and drilling, and ancillary facilities supports the underground exploration program to gather additional geotechnical and hydrogeological data. These activities are subject to Alaska Statutes 27.19 (Reclamation), Alaska Administrative Code, Title 11 (Natural Resources) and Chapter 97 (Mining Reclamation).
William Groom, Large Mine Program Lead
DNR /DMLW-Mining Section
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-451-2788
Palmer.Comment@alaska.gov
Public Notice Start: August 30, 2024
Public Notice End: September 30, 2024
Permit No.: Constantine Reclamation Plan Approval (J20245690RPA)
Applicant:
Constantine Mining, LLC
120 2nd Ave North
Haines, Alaska 99827
Proposed Project and Location
Activities:
The Palmer Project (project) operated by Constantine Mining LLC is a copper-zinc-silver-gold-barite prospect in the advanced exploration stage. The surface disturbance proposed in this Plan of Operations will occur on Mental Health Trust lands. Activities include; 1) excavating approximately 2,012 meters of underground ramp to provide a drill platform for exploration and provide access to gather additional geotechnical and hydrogeological data, 2) completing approximately 30,000 meters of underground exploration drilling, 3) placing approximately 70,000 cubic meters of non-PAG development rock on the surface, 4) constructing and operating two settling ponds for underground seepage water, prior to discharge through the land application disposal system (LAD), 5) constructing a buried, land application disposal system to dispose of underground seepage water, The LAD design will be submitted to ADEC for approval separate from this Plan of Operations, 6) constructing ancillary facilities used in support of the underground exploration program including installation of a generator, air compressor, fuel tanks, mine air ventilation fan(s) etc. These activities do not deviate from prior approvals.
The overall program is directed at further evaluation of the Palmer Deposit. The long-term project objective is to continue the evaluating for as long as warranted by the technical results, and to methodically assess the technical and economic viability of developing an underground mine. The entire surface disturbance proposed in this Plan will occur on Trust surface lands, where the Trust also owns the subsurface estate. Constantine has an Upland Mining Lease.
Location:
The Palmer Project (project) is located within the Porcupine Mining District in the Haines Borough. Roads connect the project area to the village of Klukwan, approximately 17 miles to the east, and the coastal town of Haines, approximately 35 miles to the southeast.
Tentative Determination
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water (ADNR), in accordance with and subject to A 27.19 (Reclamation) and the Alaska Administrative Code, Title 11AAC (Natural Resources) and Chapter 97 (Mining Reclamation), has tentatively determined to renew the approval to the above listed applicant.
Public Comments
Written comments on the proposed approval must be submitted within 30 days of the first publication of this public notice or no later than September 30, 2024. Please direct written comments to the attention of William Groom at the address or email identified above. All comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the commenter and a concise statement of comment on the approval condition and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based. Comments of either support or concern which are directed at specific, cited approval requirements are appreciated. Comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.
DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS:
September 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm
Administrative Record
Copies of the proposed approval and application documents are available for public review at DNR offices. Please contact either office to review hard copies of available documents.
3700 Airport Way 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1430
Fairbanks, AK 99709 Anchorage, AK 99501
907-451-2705 907-269-6285
For other inquiries, contact William Groom at the address listed above, email Palmer.Comment@alaska.gov, or call 907-451-2788
Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice:
The State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation to participate in this public process, please contact the ADA Coordinator or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 within 30 days of publication of this notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.