Red Dog Mine

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). Access to the mine is by air. The project is a partnership between NANA and Teck Alaska Incorporated (Teck) (the operator). 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, 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 2015 Red Dog mined 3,861,950 tonnes ore, milled 4,026,082 tonnes, and produced 1,013,607 tonnes zinc concentrate and 212,123 tonnes lead concentrate. All concentrates are exported to world markets via the DeLong Mountain Transportation System that connects the mine to port facilities on the Chukchi Sea. As of 2015, Teck employs over 630 people. The majority of Red Dog employees are NANA Shareholders.

Financial Assurance

Teck Alaska Incorporated Mining Reclamation Bond (PDF)

Permits and Authorizations

Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Extension of the Red Dog Mine Reclamation Plan Approval (F20099958) (issued 9/30/15) (PDF)
DNR Extension to Reclamation Plan Approval (F20099958) (PDF)

(05/29/15)

DNR Extension to Reclamation Plan Approval (F20099958) (PDF)(12/01/14)
DNR Reclamation Plan Approval (F20099958) (PDF) (12/02/09)
DNR / ACMP Final Consistency Determination AK 0704-03J (PDF) (11/27/09)
2009 Consolidated Public Comments and State Responses for the draft Waste Management Permit (No. 0132-BA002) and Reclamation Plan Approval (F20099958) (PDF) (11/28/09)

Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

APDES Permit No. AK0038652 (PDF) (2/15/2013)
- ADEC Transmittal Letter (PDF)
- Permit Fact Sheet (PDF)
- Response to Comments (PDF)
DEC Waste Management Permit No. 0132-BA002 (PDF) (12/2/09)
DEC 401 Certificate of Reasonable Assurance (NPDES Permit AK-003865-2) (PDF) (12/15/09)
- Response to Comment Document, Alaska Section 401 Certification
  NPDES Permit AK-003865-2 (PDF) (12/15/09)

Northwest Arctic Borough (NWAB)

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

Support Documents

Red Dog Mine Closure and Reclamation Plan (PDF)(May 2009)
Reclamation and Closure Plan: Support Documents A through J

Five-Year Environmental Audit

May 2014

Executive Summary (PDF)
Red Dog Mine Facility Audit (PDF)

Aqqaluk 2009 EIS

Red Dog Mine Extension - Aqqaluk Project

EPA Supplemental EIS (October 2009)

Volume 1 (PDF)
Volume 2. Appendices A through G (PDF)
Volume 2. Appendix H Response to Comments (PDF)

Aqqaluk Project NEPA Process

On May 4, 2007, Teck Cominco Alaska Incorporated (TCAK) requested a modification to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit AK-003865-2 to include the development of the Aqqaluk Project. The Aqqaluk deposit is located adjacent to the existing main deposit.
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Inspection Reports