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Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water

Individual land buyers, lessees of state land, or permittees who are unable to make their payments should immediately contact the Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW) to discuss ways to address their financial hardship and payments due, consistent with the Governor's COVID-19 Disaster Order of Suspension No. 2 as amended, or the Director's Finding concerning extensions of certain land sale contract and lease payments. Contact the DMLW by email at dnr.dmlw.financialassistance@alaska.gov or by phone at (907) 269-8594. Thank you.

Red Dog Mine

News and Announcements

None at this time.

Project Description

The Red Dog Mine is an open pit, truck-and-loader operation using grinding and flotation processes to recover zinc and lead. The mine is located in northwestern Alaska, in the De Long Mountains of the Western Brooks Range, approximately 82 miles north of Kotzebue and 46 miles inland from the coast of the Chukchi Sea, on land owned by NANA Regional Corporation, Inc. (NANA). The Access to the mine is by air.

The project is a partnership between NANA and Teck Alaska Incorporated (Teck) (the operator). The majority of Red Dog employees are NANA Shareholders. The major Red Dog Mine facilities include the Red Dog Main Pit, Aqqaluk Pit, mill, Tailings Storage Facility, main waste stockpile, fresh water storage reservoir, water management systems, an airstrip, and Personnel Accommodations Complex (PAC). Power is supplied by on-site diesel generators.

The mine has been in operation since 1989, and operates 24-hours a day, 365 days a year. In 2019, Red Dog produced 552,400 metric tons (1.22 billion pounds) of zinc and 102,800 metric tons (226.6 million pounds) of lead. All concentrates are exported to world markets via the DeLong Mountain Transportation System that connects the mine to port facilities on the Chukchi Sea.

Financial Assurance

Teck Alaska Incorporated Mining Reclamation Bond (8/14/2018)

Permits, Authorizations, and Approvals

Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

DNR Reclamation Plan Approval (F20169958) (issued 9/28/2016)
DNR Temporary Water Use Authorizations (TWUAs) and Water Rights:
TWUA F2019-134 (issued 12/12/2019) Water Right (LAS 25095) – Main Stem Red Dog Creek (issued 6/1/2007) Water Right (LAS 25096) – South Fork Red Dog Creeks (issued 6/1/2007) Water Right (LAS 1553) – Bons Creek (issued 3/11/2005)
Dam Safety Certificates:
Certificate of Approval to Operate a Dam (FY2019-7-AK00201) for the Red Dog Tailings Main Dam (issued 11/1/2019) Certificate of Approval to Modify a Dam (FY2020-23-AK00201) for the Red Dog Tailings Main Dam (issued 5/19/2020) Certificate of Approval to Modify a Dam (FY2020-18-AK00201) for the Red Dog Tailings Main Dam (issued 4/6/2020) Certificate of Approval to Modify a Dam (FY2020-6-AK00201) for the Red Dog Tailings Main Dam (issued 10/1/2019) Certificate of Approval to Operate a Dam (FY2018-14-AK00303) for the Red Dog Tailings Back Dam (issued 2/13/2018) Certificate of Approval to Modify a Dam (FY2018-21-AK00303) for the Red Dog Tailings Back Dam (issued 5/14/2018) Certificate of Approval to Approval to Operate a Dam (FY2020-10-AK00260) for the Red Dog Mine Water Diversion Dam (issued 12/12/2019)

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

DEC Waste Management Permit No.2016DB0002 (9/23/2016) APDES Permit No. AK0038652 (effective 9/1/2018) AQ0290MSS06 Air Quality Control Minor Permit No. AQ0290MSS07 (effective 3/10/2010) Air Quality Control Minor General Permit No. AQ0289MG901 Revision 2 (issued 4/1/2017) Air Quality Control Minor Permit No. AQ0290MSS08 (effective 4/14/2017) Air Quality Control Minor Permit No. AQ0290MSS09 (effective 5/3/2018) Air Quality Control Minor Permit No. AQ0290MSS10 (effective 11/1/2019) Air Quality Control Minor Permit No. AQ0290MSS11 (effective 11/1/2019) Air Quality Operating Permit No. AQ0290TVP03 (issued 1/28/2020)

Northwest Arctic Borough (NWAB)

NWAB Title 9 Master Plan Permit No: 107-03-10 (12/9/2009) NWAB Assembly Support Resolution (1/29/2010)

Support Documents

Red Dog Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan (August 2016)
  • Suspension Costs Estimate (Excel Based) (available upon request)
  • Closure Costs Estimate (Excel Based) (available upon request)
  • Post Closure Costs Estimate (Excel Based) (available upon request)
Red Dog Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan Amendment 1 (May 2018) Red Dog Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan Amendment 2 (February 2018) Red Dog Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan Amendment 3 (July 2019) Red Dog Mine Reclamation and Closure Plan Amendment 4 (September 2020) Red Dog Mine Integrated Waste Management Plan (August 2016) Red Dog Mine Quality Assurance Plan August 2016 (August 2016) Red Dog Mine Millsite Lease Application (August 2016)

Five-Year Environmental Audit

Red Dog Mine 5-Year Environmental Audit (May 2014)

Executive Summary Red Dog Mine Facility Audit

Reports

Annual Reports

2019 Annual Report and 2019 4Q Monitoring Report (2/10/2020)
  • Appendix A: Biomonitoring Report (pending 2nd quarter)
  • Appendix B: Long-Term Permafrost and Groundwater Monitoring (pending 1st and 2nd quarter)
  • Appendix C: Water Quality Control Profile II Charts – Mine Water Monitoring Stations
  • Appendix D: Water Quality Profile I Charts – Mine Drainage Monitoring Stations
  • Appendix E: Water Quality Profile I Charts – Bons Creek Monitoring Stations
  • Appendix F: Water Quality Profile I Charts – APDES Monitoring
  • Appendix G: Waste Rock Production Summary
  • Appendix H: Cover Material Stockpile Summary
  • Appendix I: Risk Management Plan (RMP) Fugitive Dust (pending 3rd quarter)
  • Appendix J: Red Dog One Year Mine Plan 2020

Technical Reports

Technical Report No. 20-02, Aquatic Biomonitoring at Red Dog Mine, 2019 Technical Report No. 19-08, Aquatic Biomonitoring at Red Dog Mine, 2018 Technical Report No. 18-06, Aquatic Biomonitoring at Red Dog Mine, 2017

Inspection Reports

May 30 to June 13, 2015 by ADF&G July 9-16, 2018 by ADF&G

Archives

Annual Reports and Annual Meetings Prior Authorizations and Permits Public Notices

Links to Related State Agency Publications

Department of Environmental Conservation

Red Dog Mine / Fugitive Dust / Division of Air Quality Red Dog Mine / Division of Spill Prevention and Response / Contaminated Sites Site Report: Red Dog Mine / Division of Spill Prevention and Response / Contaminated Sites

Department of Fish & Game, Habitat Division

Red Dog Mine Biomonitoring Studies

Dept. of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health

Red Dog Mine / Heavy Metals

For More Information Contact:

State of Alaska Large Mine Permitting Team

Emily Hart
 Large Project Coordinator
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Office of Project Management and Permitting
Phone: (907) 334-2185
Fax: (907) 269-5673
Email

Mail to:
550 W 7th Ave, Ste 1430
Anchorage, AK 99501-3577

Visit at:
550 W 7th Ave, Ste 1430
Anchorage, AK 99501-3577


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State of Alaska
Department of Natural Resources

550 W. 7th Ave, Suite 1360
Anchorage, AK 99501-3557
Phone: (907) 269-8400
Fax: (907) 269-8901
TTY: (907) 269-8411