NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
Request to Extend Plan of Operations Approval for Activities on
16 State Mining Claims - Palmer Project
APMA J20245690 for Hardrock Exploration and Reclamation
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW), has received a request under casefile APMA J20245690 to extend the expiration date of the existing Plan of Operations Approval for previously approved exploration activities on 16 state mining claims associated with the Palmer Project from 12/31/2028 to 12/31/2033.
This notice applies solely to the requested extension for approved activities on those state mining claims within the legal description below. It does not apply to the Palmer Project as a whole or to activities on adjacent federal mining claims or Mental Health Trust lands.
APPLICANTS
Constantine Mining, LLC & Constantine North, Inc.
PROJECT NAME
Palmer Project - Activities on 16 State Mining Claims Only
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION
Glacier Creek, near the community of Haines, Juneau Mining District
LEGAL DESCRIPTION
Sections 25 & 26, Township 28 South, Range 53 East, Copper River Meridian
Sections 29 & 30, Township 28 South, Range 54 East, Copper River Meridian
REQUESTED ACTION AND SCOPE OF REVIEW
The applicants have requested an extension of the expiration date of the existing Plan of Operations Approval from 12/31/2028 to 12/31/2033 to allow additional time to complete previously approved work on the 16 state mining claims. DNR is considering the extension request pursuant to 11 AAC 86.800(d).
The scope of this public notice and DNR’s subsequent decision is limited solely to whether to grant the requested extension of the expiration date. No changes to the previously approved activities, the lands covered by the approval, or any other terms and conditions of the Plan of Operations Approval are proposed or under consideration through this request. If granted, the extension would change only the expiration date; all other terms and conditions of the existing approval would remain unchanged.
DNR is not reopening or reconsidering the underlying plan of operations, associated decision documents, or previously issued Plan of Operations Approval through this extension process.
This notice and the subsequent decision do not concern the Palmer Project as a whole, activities on adjacent federal mining claims or Mental Health Trust lands, or permits or approvals governing those activities. The requested extension would not authorize activities or land use beyond those covered by the existing Plan of Operations Approval.
Public comments should address whether DNR should grant the requested extension of the expiration date for the approved activities on the 16 state mining claims, including information relevant to allowing additional time to complete the previously approved work.
REQUESTED EXPIRATION DATE
Current expiration date: 12/31/2028
Requested expiration date: 12/31/2033
EXTENSION REQUEST AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS
The request to extend the expiration date is available at the bottom of this posting as an attachment to this notice.
Additionally, the following documents are provided solely for background and reference to identify the previously approved activities and the existing approval to which the extension request applies:
Providing links to these background documents does not reopen the underlying plan of operations, associated decision documents, or issued Plan of Operations Approval for review and does not expand the scope of this notice to other Palmer Project activities or lands. The requested extension of the expiration date is the sole action under consideration.
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS
Friday November 6 at 5:00 p.m. AST
The public is invited to submit written comments on the requested extension before DNR makes a decision. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by DMLW on or before the deadline stated above.
Written comments, questions concerning the extension request, or requests to view the relevant documents should be directed to:
Dave Charron, Geologist 5
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Division of Mining, Land and Water
Fairbanks Mine Permitting Office
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Telephone: (907)451-2736
Email: dnr.apma.comments@alaska.gov
SUBSEQUENT DECISION
After reviewing the extension request and relevant information received during the public comment period, DNR will issue a decision limited to whether to grant the requested extension of the expiration date of the existing Plan of Operations Approval for activities on the 16 state mining claims.
DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.
The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.