PUBLIC NOTICE
March 22, 2012 Draft State Decision

Approval to Amend Plan of Operations for changes to the Dry Stack Tailings Facility (DSTF)

15-day Public Comment

Pogo is an underground gold mine located on state land 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction, Alaska and 85 miles east-southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska. The project applicant, Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC, submitted a Plan of Operations Amendment for changes to the Dry Stack Tailing Facility (DSTF). Sumitomo updated the mine’s Plan of Operations and supporting documents in order to request authorization to: (1) construct new diversion ditches up-slope of the existing DSTF diversion ditches; (2) develop internal access roads within the drystack tailings area; and, (3) increase the total quantity of combined tailings and waste rock placement in the DSTF from 7.5 million to 20 million tons. In addition to the request for approval to amend the Plan of Operations, the applicant has updated the mine reclamation and closure cost estimate to incorporate current cost inputs and also to include costs for reclamation of the expanded dry stack tailings facility.

(Note: The Department of Environmental Conservation Waste Management Permit No. 2011DB0012 for the disposal of mine tailings, waste rock, and other mine-related wastes from the Pogo Mine already approves the placement of up to 20 million tons of tailings.)

HOW TO COMMENT

Copies of the application renewal documents and draft state decision may be obtained below:

Documents for Public Review and Comment:

1. DRAFT Plan of Operations Amendment Approval (F20129500)
2. Request for Amendment (Rev 2) to Plan of Operations F20129500 by Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC (Pogo) for Drystack Tailings Facility (DSTF) Expansion from 7.5 to 20 Million Tons (MTons) Including Construction of a New Diversion Ditch (March 12, 2012)
1. Appendix A
1. Engineering Drawings for the Dry Stack Tailings Facility (DSTF) Expansion Construction, Pogo Mine, Alaska, USA
2. Dry Stack Tailings Facility (DSTF) Expansion Detailed Design – Pogo Mine, Alaska, USA
3. Technical Specifications for Pogo Dry Stack Tailings Facility Expansion – Revision 2
2. Appendix B
1. Pogo Mine Reclamation Cost Estimate Final 3-20-2012
3. 2012 Pogo Plan of Operations (March 2012)
1. Updated Plan of Operation’s Figures:
1. Figure 1.3
2. Figure 1.3a
3. Figure 1.3b
4. Figure 1.3d
5. Figure 7.1
4. 2012 Pogo Reclamation and Closure Plan (March 2012)
1. Updated Reclamation and Closure Plan Figures:
1. Figure 2.3
2. Figure 4.6
3. Figure 4.7
4. Figure 4.8
5. Figure 4.9
5. 2012 Pogo DSTF Construction and Maintenance Plan (March 2012)

Documents for Background Information:

1. Interim Approval of Financial Assurance Amount for Reclamation of Pogo Mine (March 20, 2012)
2. Pogo Mine Dry Stack Tailings Facility Expansion Preliminary Study (May 16, 2011)

Documents Available Upon Request:

1. EXCEL file for Pogo Mine Reclamation Cost Estimate Final 3-20-2012

To obtain a copy of the Pogo Mine Reclamation Cost Estimate in EXCEL please contact Steve McGroarty.

Hardcopies of these documents are also available for review at the following locations:

• Alaska Department of Natural Resources / Fairbanks
  (3700 Airport Way)
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources / Anchorage
  (Atwood Building, 550 W. 7th Avenue, 9th Floor)

Send written comments by mail, email or fax to:

PUBLIC NOTICE
December 13, 2011
Renewal Application and Draft State Decisions
30-day Public Comment

Pogo is an underground gold mine located on state land 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction, Alaska and 85 miles east-southeast of Fairbanks, Alaska.  The project applicant, Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC, has updated the mine’s Plan of Operations and supporting documents for the current operation and requested the renewal of its DNR Plan of Operations Approval and DEC Waste Management Permit.

On December 13, 2011 the State of Alaska released for a 30-day public review and comment period application renewal documents for Pogo’s existing mining operation and two draft state decisions.  These documents are posted below.  Further information on how to comment can be found below, or in the newspaper Public Notice display ad.

Note:  Sumitomo has notified the state they intend to request an amendment to their Plan of Operations for an expansion of the drystack tailings facility from the current 7 million tons to 20 million tons.  A separate public comment period will be used to address this proposed amendment, likely within the 1st quarter of 2012.

HOW TO COMMENT

Draft permits and approvals, public notices, applications and support documents are available for review on this web site or by contacting Sharmon Stambaugh, DNR/OPMP Mining Coordinator, listed below.  Hardcopies are also available for review at:

• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation / Fairbanks
  (510 University Avenue)
• Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation / Anchorage
  (555 Cordova Street)
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources / Fairbanks
  (3700 Airport Way)
• Alaska Department of Natural Resources / Anchorage
  (Atwood Building, 550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 900)
• Delta Community Library / Delta Junction across from City Hall
  (2291 Deborah Street)

Send written comments by mail, email or fax to:

Contact Sharmon Stambaugh with general questions or for additional information.

For technical questions relating to the draft state authorizations, please contact:

DOCUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PUBLIC REVIEW AND COMMENT PERIOD

Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Division of Mining, Land & Water

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Division of Water

Support Documents

Additional documents submitted by Sumitomo Metal Mining Pogo LLC to the State of Alaska in support of project authorizations:

• Appendix A: Pogo Mine Claim List
• Appendix B: Figures
• Appendix C: Pogo Quality Assurance Plan
• Appendix D: Pogo Mine Monitoring Plan
• Appendix E: Pogo Reclamation and Closure Plan
• Pogo Mine Reclamation Cost Estimate
• Pogo Access Road and Transmission Line Closure Cost Estimate
  
  NOTE: You can request and receive an excel version of the cost estimates by contacting:
  
  Sharmon Stambaugh, DNR Mining Coordinator (907) 269-0880
  email: sharmon.stambaugh@alaska.gov
  
• Appendix F: Pogo DSTF Construction and Maintenance Plan
• Appendix G: Pogo RTP Operating and Maintenance Manual

Pogo Project Water Management Plan February 2002

• Appendix A: Mine Inflow Report
• Appendix B: Hydrology
• Appendix C: Geochemistry
• Appendix D: Surface and Ground Water
• Appendix E: Soil
• Appendix F: Water Quality Data
• Appendix G: Paste Backfill Testwork
• Appendix H: Mine Backfill Drainage Quality
• Appendix I: Mill Process & Water Balances
• Appendix J: Metallurgy
• Appendix K: Post-mining Water Geochemistry
• Appendix L: WTP
• Appendix M: RTP Dam
• Appendix N: Injection Wells

Pogo Project Water Management Plan June 2002 Supplement