Project Description
The Niblack Project is a copper-zinc-gold-silver prospect in an advanced exploration phase of development. The project is located near Moira Sound on Prince of Wales Island, approximately 30 miles southwest of Ketchikan.
The applicant, Niblack Mining Corporation, has developed approximately 3,000 feet of underground infrastructure from a single adit entry. The main focus of the underground work is to provide access for exploration drilling to test deep zones of mineralization.
The project is supported by a marine access point and camp barge facility on the adjacent State-owned tide and submerged lands. Surface disturbances, including an access road, portal, waste rock storage and disposal areas and a settling pond system, are confined to private property. The total surface disturbance area requiring post-closure reclamation is approximately 5.5 acres.
Niblack Mining Company received an approval to temporarily suspend operations in October 2012. As of September 2016, the project remains in care and maintenance.
Financial Assurance
Niblack Mining Reclamation Bond 2010 (PDF) (Abacus Alaska, Inc.)
Niblack Mining Reclamation Bond 2007 (PDF) (Niblack Mining Corporation)
Permits, Authorizations, and Approvals
Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Final Finding and Decision - Outfall Easement ADL 108261 (PDF) (5/6/2016)
Entry Authorization- Outfall Easement ADL 108261 (PDF) (8/26/2016)
ADL 108261Attachment A (PDF)
ADL 108261 Attachment B (PDF)
Final Finding and Decision - Tideland Lease ADL 107544 (PDF) (6/29/2007)
Early Entry Permit - Tideland Lease ADL 107544 (PDF) (9/7/2007)
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
June 18, 2012 WMP extension (PDF)
401 Certificate of Reasonable Assurance (POA-1982-290-N) (PDF)
Air Permits Program: Owner Requested Limit Letter of Approval ORL No. AQ1098ORL01 (PDF)
Niblack APDES AK0053708 Permit - Final (PDF)
Niblack APDES Permit No. AK0053708 Fact Sheet (PDF)
Niblack APDES Permit AK0053708 Remand Decision (PDF)
Niblack Mine Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0001 (PDF)
Response to Comments Document (PDF)
Supporting Documents:
Niblack Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Application under the Waste Management Permit (April 2007) (PDF)
Niblack Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Application 2012 Post-Construction Update (May 25, 2012) (PDF)
Industrial Waste Monofill Solid Waste Permit Application, Version 12-2011 (May 25, 2012) (PDF)
Niblack Water Quality Monitoring Plan, 2012 Post-Construction Update (May 25, 2012) (PDF)
Niblack Mining Corporation Quality Assurance Project Plan (2007) (PDF)
Niblack Project Underground Exploration Plan of Operations 2012 Post-Construction Update (May 25, 2012) (PDF)
Niblack Reclamation and Closure Plan 2017 Post‐Construction Update (PDF)
Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADFG)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District (ACOE)
Dept of the Army Permit POA-1982-290-N (PDF) (issued 7/12/2007)
Previous Permits, Authorizations, and Approvals
Floating Camp - Temporary Site
ACMP Consistency Determination AK 0703-01J - Concurrence (PDF)
ACMP Start-up Packet (includes Applications) (PDF)
Temporary Water Use Permit #J2005-06 - Amended (PDF)
ACOE Section 10 (Modification) POA-1982-290-M (PDF)
Other
Reclamation Plan Approval J122711 Extension (PDF) (September 28, 2017)
Reclamation Plan Approval J072711 (PDF) (June 29,2007)
2007 Response to Public Comments on Draft Authorizations (PDF)
Comment letters (PDF)
Fish Habitat Permit FH-06-VII-0014 (PDF)
ADNR State Historic Preservation Office Determination (PDF)
ACOE Nationwide Permit File No. POA-2006-511-D (PDF)
Temporary Water Use Permit #J2007-01 (PDF)
Temporary Water Use Permit #J2005-07 (PDF)
DNR / ACMP Final Consistency Determination AK 0704-03J (PDF)
Support Documents
Niblack Project Underground Exploration Plan of Operations (PDF)
Appendix 1: Wetlands Determination (PDF)
Appendix 2: Eelgrass Survey (PDF)
Appendix 3: Operational Characterization Plan (OCP) (PDF)
Appendix 4: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) (PDF)
Appendix 5: Water Quality Baseline and Site Monitoring Plan (PDF)
Appendix 6: Reclamation and Closure Plan (PDF)
Inspection Reports
Annual Reports
2012
Niblack Exploration Project 2012 Annual Report (PDF)2011
Niblack Exploration Project 2011 Annual Report (PDF)Niblack Exploration Project 2011 Annual Report Cover (PDF)
2010
Niblack Exploration Project 2010 Annual Report (PDF)2009
Niblack Exploration Project Annual Report (PDF) (posted 6/23/2010)Appendices
2008
Niblack Exploration Project Annual Report (PDF) (posted 2/22/2010)Appendix A: Photographs of Site Facilities (PDF)
Appendix B: Master Acid Base Accounting Geochemical Database (PDF)
Appendix C: Water Quality Monitoring Results for Surface Water and Groundwater (PDF)
Appendix D: Visual Site Inspection Forms (PDF)
Contact
State of Alaska Large Mine Permitting Team
Brent Martellaro
Geologist V
Alaska Department of Natural ResourcesMining Section
3700 Airport Way
Fairbanks, AK 99709-4699
Phone: (907) 451-2788
Fax: (907) 451-2703