The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has made a preliminary decision to approve Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc.’s application for Air Quality Control Minor Permit AQ0053MSS06 for the Fort Knox Mine.
Applicant: Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc.
P.O. Box 73726, Anchorage, AK 99707
Location: #1 Fort Knox Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712
Activity: Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc. applied for a minor permit under 18 AAC 50.508(5) for an Owner Requested Limit (ORL) to avoid a minor permit under 18 AAC 50.502(c)(3) for nitrogen oxides.
Emissions: Change in emissions for stationary source will not exceed: 9.21 tons of Nitrogen Oxides, 0.59 tons of Carbon Monoxide, 0.71 tons of Particulate Matter, 0.15 tons of Sulfur Dioxide, 1.77 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds, 16,449 tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent emissions, and 0.16 tons of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP), with highest individual HAP (Benzene) estimated at 0.08 tons. The total annual potential emissions of regulated air pollutants, other than greenhouse gases, are 170.51 tons.
ADEC Preliminary Review: Based on review of the application, ADEC drafted a preliminary permit decision for this project under AS 46.14 and 18 AAC 50.
Available Information: Copies of the permit application(s), ADEC’s preliminary minor permit and technical analysis report (TAR) are available at the following offices:
ADEC Air Permits Program, 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303, Juneau, Alaska 99801
ADEC Air Permits Program, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501
These documents are also available at ADEC’s website at: http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices/
Opportunity for Public Participation: Any interested person may present written statements relevant to the preliminary decision within 30 days after the first publication date. ADEC will consider all comments received and make any changes ADEC finds beneficial or necessary to assure compliance with 18 AAC 50 or state law. ADEC will issue a final decision to issue or deny the permit after the close of the public comment period.
ADEC complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884; Alaska Relay Service/TTY/TDD 1-800-770-8973; or dial 711 by the 15th day of this public comment period to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Comments relevant to the preliminary minor permit may be submitted electronically via ADEC’s public notice site at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/FormalComments, or to Adam Leibert by mail to 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501, or by email to adam.leibert@alaska.gov and dec.air.comment@alaska.gov. Comments must be received by close of public comments period at 11:59 p.m. Alaska time on November 22, 2026. Except for comments classified under AS 46.14.520, all public comments submitted during the public comment period can be viewed at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices after the public comment period.