U. S. Environmental Protection Agency,, 2002, POGO Gold Mine EIS/NEPA Project: Environmental Protection Agency, v. 2002.
Summary
Pogo Mine Project: An Introduction The Project: The proposed Pogo Gold Mine would be located about 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction, Alaska, near the Goodpaster River (see figure 1). Teck-Pogo, Inc., the "applicant," plans to develop the mine on state-owned land. It would be an underground mine with a surface mill producing up to 500,000 ounces of gold each year. The applicant hopes to begin construction in 2002, and proposes to operate the mine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for about 12 years. This predicted mine-life is based on existing information; on-going exploration could increase the life of the mine. The project would employ up to 385 employees. Workers would be housed on site. An airstrip would be constructed at the [...]
Summary
Pogo Mine Project: An Introduction The Project: The proposed Pogo Gold Mine would be located about 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction, Alaska, near the Goodpaster River (see figure 1). Teck-Pogo, Inc., the "applicant," plans to develop the mine on state-owned land. It would be an underground mine with a surface mill producing up to 500,000 ounces of gold each year. The applicant hopes to begin construction in 2002, and proposes to operate the mine 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for about 12 years. This predicted mine-life is based on existing information; on-going exploration could increase the life of the mine. The project would employ up to 385 employees. Workers would be housed on site. An airstrip would be constructed at the mine site. A powerline from the regional grid would supply power. Ore Processing: After grinding, ore would be processed using gravity separation and a 'flotation' process to produce a concentrate. Gold would then be leached out of the concentrate in tanks using cyanide. Ten percent of all tailings would be cyanide tailings. Cyanide tailings would be treated and combined with other tailings and cement, then returned underground. Remaining tailings would be stacked on the ground. A surface pond would collect site precipitation and runoff from the dry stack tailings, and recycle the water to the mill. Any excess process water would be treated before discharge to assure that water quality standards are met. Tailings: crushed rock left over after the gold has been removed Road Access: The applicant has proposed building a 46- to 49-mile road from the Richardson Highway to the mine area. The applicant has proposed that road access be restricted to mine-related vehicles which would carry five to seven large trucks per day all year. The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) retains authority for access restrictions for any proposed roads on state-owned lands. ADNR is participating in this federal EIS process with EPA to determine the appropriate access restrictions. Although EPA is preparing this EIS, EPA has no authority over ADNR access decisions. ADNR: Alaska Department of Natural Resources There are two road options: an all-season road or an annual winter road. For the all-season road, two routes are being considered. The first would run up the northwest side of Shaw Creek Valley, cross Shaw Creek, and continue 18 miles to the Goodpaster River and the mine site. At least four bridges would be required. The second all-season route option would begin near Quartz Lake and follow the ridge northwest of the Goodpaster River Valley to the mine site. One bridge would be required. A winter road, the second road option, would be constructed each year. Temporary bridge structures and ice bridges, and snow and ice ramps, would be installed. The winter road would operate for about 8 weeks in winter, and carry 30-35 large trucks per day. Two winter-only road routes are being considered. First is the existing winter trail from the Quartz Lake area up the Goodpaster River, which has 9 Goodpaster River crossings and several other minor crossings. The second is a route up Shaw Creek Valley and then an 18-mile road to the Goodpaster River Valley and the mine site, requiring 6 water crossings. Agency Involvement: Many state and federal permits are required, including a wastewater discharge permit from EPA called an NPDES permit. Because the proposed mining project could significantly affect the environment, an Environmental Impact Statement is necessary. NPDES: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the federal agency responsible for preparing the EIS. EPA will prepare the EIS using a contractor, Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. Baker works under the direct supervision of EPA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources are closely participating in the EIS process. Several other agencies are also involved. For a one-page outline that explains each agency's permitting authorities, contact Matt Harrington (see page 9. Tanana River; This website includes the following links: Proposed Project Description Public Involvement Plan The Environmental Impact Statement Process Updates on the Project Government to Government Coordination with Tribes Maps and Photo Gallery Community Involvement Opportunities and Contacts Technical Documents
