NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water received an application for the renewal of the Niblack Project Reclamation Plan Approval (RPA) to support ongoing underground exploration and use of surface facilities. These activities are subject to Alaska Statute 27.19 (Reclamation), Alaska Administrative Code, Title 11 (Natural Resources) and Chapter 97 (Mining Reclamation).

Point of Contact:

William Groom, Large Mine Program Lead
DNR/DMLW-Mining Section 
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-451-2788
william.groom@alaska.gov

Public Notice Start: June 30, 2025

Public Notice End: July 30, 2025

Permit No.: Niblack Reclamation Plan Approval (J20252711RPA)

Applicant:

Niblack Project, LLC
c/o Corporation Service Company 251
Little Falls Drive
Wilmington, Delaware 19808

Proposed Project and Location

Activities:

The Niblack Project is a copper-gold- zinc-silver prospect in the exploration stage. The surface disturbance, current and proposed, in the Niblack Reclamation and Closure Plan (June 6, 2025) is on private lands. The principal purpose of this 2025 Reclamation and Closure Plan Post-Construction Update is to identify and describe the required reclamation tasks that are to be completed, either concurrently with, or at the cessation of the exploration activities and their associated costs. Reclamation activities include: 1) PAG waste rock relocation and site reclamation, 2) adit plug and portal entrance reclamation, 3) NAG waste rock storage area reclamation, 4) reclamation and closure of the settling ponds and water treatment systems, 5) reclaiming stormwater management areas, 6) post-closure monitoring and maintenance of the site. These activities do not deviate from prior approvals.

The overall program is directed at further evaluation of the Niblack Project. The long-term project objective is to continue evaluating the technical and economic viability of developing an underground mine.

Location:

The Niblack Project is located within the Ketchikan Mining District, on the southeastern side of Prince of Wales Island near Moira Sound, approximately 30 miles southwest of the town of Ketchikan, Alaska.

Tentative Determination:

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water (DNR), in accordance with and subject to AS 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 July 30, 2025. 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:

July 30, 2025, at 5:00 pm

Administrative Record:

Copies of the proposed approval and application documents are available for public review at DNR Fairbanks office. Please contact the office to review hard copies of available documents.

3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709
907-451-2705

For other inquiries, contact William Groom at the address listed above, email william.groom@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 special accommodation to participate in this public process, please contact the TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 or contact the address above within 30 days of publication of this notice to ensure that any necessary accommodation can be provided.

The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.