NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has received requests to renew the Plan of Operations and Reclamation Plan Approvals for the Fort Knox Mine and Gil Project to support continued operations of mineral extraction, development, processing, and reclamation. This application renewal includes state and private lands within the Fairbanks Mining District near the city of Fairbanks and surrounding communities.
This notice is pertaining to the Department’s review and adjudication of Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc. (FGMI) application renewal submissions, which includes their Plan of Operations, Reclamation and Closure Plan, and all applicable Appendices and associated documents. These activities are subject to AS 38.05 (Alaska Land Act), AS 27.19 (Reclamation), and Alaska Administrative Code, Title 11 (Natural Resources) Chapter 86 (Mining Rights) and Chapter 97 (Mining Reclamation).
APPLICANT: FGMI
PROJECT NAME: Fort Knox Mine and Gil Project
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Fish Creek
LEGAL DESCRIPTION:
Sections 4-23, 26-29, 32, 33, Township 2 North, Range 2 East, Fairbanks Meridian
Sections 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, 15-21, Township 2 North, Range 3 East, Fairbanks Meridian
REQUESTED ACTIVITY: FGMI proposes continued open-pit mining operations at Fort Knox Mine with ongoing care and maintenance activities to maintain facilities at the Gil Project. Operations at Fort Knox Mine include open-pit mining, ore processing, water management, maintaining tailings storage, and heap-leach operations throughout the life of the project. Phased closure, and comprehensive reclamation is ongoing by contouring disturbed lands, placement of growth media, revegetation using native seed mixes, and long-term monitoring of vegetation, ground water, and surface water. End of mining activities involve managing and reclaiming haul roads, demolishing or removing buildings and infrastructure, stabilizing waste rock dumps and pit wall, and implementing stormwater and seepage controls. Collectively, FGMI proposes to restore disturbed lands to a safe, stable, and productive post-mining conditions while meeting state and federal regulatory requirements during and after mining.
The following applicable documents associated with this DNR Public Notice can be viewed on the Fort Knox Large Mine Website:
- Fort Knox Gold Mine Plan of Operations & Waste Management Permit Renewals (April 2026)
- Fort Knox Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan (April 2026)
- Fort Knox and Gil Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan Basis of Estimate (April 2026)
- Draft Fort Knox Mine Plan of Operations Approval
- Draft Fort Knox Mine Reclamation Plan Approval
DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS: June 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM AKDT
This is a notice provided to the public inviting comments on this activity. The purpose of this notice is to gather input before a decision is made on this activity. A request for additional information may be submitted to James Hyun. To ensure consideration any person wishing to provide comments regarding this application may do so electronically via our public comment email, fort.knox.comments@alaska.gov. If you are unable to submit comments to this email, you may submit them in writing to ensure consideration. Written comments must be postmarked or received via email by the Division of Mining, Land & Water – Office of Project Management and Permitting, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1430, Anchorage, AK 99501 on or before 11:59 PM AKDT on June 8, 2026, directed to James Hyun, Telephone (907) 334-2185, or email: james.hyun@alaska.gov.
After review and adjudication, we may issue an authorization with stipulations for the activity. The activity may be modified during the review and adjudication process.
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.