DEC has prepared a draft Waste Management Permit for the Fort Knox Mine. The draft permit and associated documents are available for a 30-day public review. Following the close of the 30-day review period, DEC will prepare and issue a final permit and response to comments. You can access the documents on the DEC Public Notices website, http://dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices and via https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/large-mines/fort-knox/.

Contact: James Hyun; Large Project Coordinator, DNR / Office of Project Management & Permitting, Anchorage, AK 99501; 907-334-2185, james.hyun@alaska.gov

Permit No: 2026DB0002
Applicant: Fairbanks Gold Mining Incorporated, Fort Knox Mine, 15 miles northeast of Fairbanks; PO Box 73726, Fairbanks, AK 99707-3726

Permit Coverage

Facility Activity:

Fort Knox Mine is open pit, gold mine. Containment and disposal of mine drainage and tailings, ore on two lined heap leach pads, and other mine-related wastes are subject to regulation under a DEC Waste Management Permit.

Permit Issuance Description:

Currently, the expired and extended Waste Management Permit 2020DB0002 has been in effect since March 25, 2000. This proposed permit serves to renew and update mine waste management activities by imposing contemporary authorities and requirements.

Tentative Determination:

DEC has tentatively decided to issue draft Waste Management Permit 2026DB0002.

Public Comments:

Written comments on the proposed permit must be submitted within 31 days of the first publication of this public notice or no later than June 7, 2026. Any person desiring to comment on the permit may submit comments electronically via the DEC public notice website (preferred) at: https://dec.alaska.gov/commish/public-notices/.

Alternatively, you may direct written comments and requests to the attention of James Hyun at the address or email identified above.

All comments should include the name, address, telephone number, and email address of the commenter and a concise statement of comment on the permit condition(s) and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based. Comments of either support or concern that are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. Mailed comments and requests must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of public notice.

DEC will consider all comments when making the final decision and will respond to received comments in a Response to Comments document issued when DEC issues a final permit. The Response to Comments will be made available to the public.

Any interested person may submit a written request for a public hearing if no hearing has already been scheduled. A request for a public hearing shall state the nature of the issues to be raised, as well as the requester’s name, address, phone number, and email. DEC will hold a public hearing whenever DEC finds, based on requests, a significant degree of public interest in a draft permit. DEC may also hold a public hearing if a hearing might clarify one or more issues involved in a permit decision or for other good reason in DEC’s discretion.

DEC will transmit the final permit and Response to Comments to anyone who provided comments during the public review period or requested to be notified of DEC final decision.

Administrative Record:

The Waste Management Permit and associated documents are available for public review at the DEC Division of Water, Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program offices located in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. Please contact the office of your choice to arrange for hard copies of the documents to be available for your review.

• 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501; 907-269-6285
• 610 University Ave, Fairbanks, AK 99709; 907-451-2100
• PO Box 1800, Juneau, AK 99811-1800; 907-465-5300
  Location: 410 Willoughby Street, Suite 303; Juneau, AK

If you would like to see additional supporting technical documents, contact James Hyun listed above.

Disability Reasonable Accommodation Notice:

The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation, complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884; or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 at least 3 days prior to the expiration/closure date of this public notice to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.