Mining Program
– including the Large Mine Permitting Team (LMPT)NEW OPMP Dashboards: For projects whose project proponents have decided to opt in to use OPMP’s voluntary services:
- Aktigiruq and Anarraaq
- Arctic
- Donlin
- Graphite Creek
- Illinois Creek
- Johnson Tract
- Livengood
- Niblack
- Nikolai
- Palmer
- Pebble
- Treasure Creek
Multi-agency permit coordination Program
The objective of this program is to efficiently advance responsible project construction, operations, and expansion to complement the State’s policy goals of increasing Alaskan production of conventional and critical minerals and continuing to foster the responsible natural resource development that drives the State’s economy.
OPMP works with applicants and regulators to develop timelines that align, to the greatest extent possible, statutory, regulatory, and other permit requirements with project needs and goals. Progress is monitored, potential challenges and opportunities are identified, and support is continuously provided.
Large Mine Permitting Team (LMPT) recent highlights include the following:
(See the OPMP Years in Review under the Resources tab for references to additional examples)
- Fort Knox
- For expanding operations: Individual State authorizations from 2019-2025 have taken 1-6 months from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Plan of Operations (Plan of Ops), Reclamation and Closure Plan (Rec Plan), and Waste Management Permit (WMP) renewals, amendments, extensions, and modifications, Dam Safety authorizations, Temporary Water Use Authorizations (TWUA), and financial assurances)
- Gil
- For development, operations, and expanding operations: Individual State authorizations from 2021-2025 have taken 1-2 months from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Plan of Ops, Rec Plan, and WMP authorizations, amendments, and modifications, TWUAs, Fish Habitat Permits (FHP), and financial assurances)
- Kensington
- For expanding operations: Individual State authorizations from 2022-2025 have taken 1-5 months from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Rec Plan and WMP renewals and amendments, Dam Safety authorizations, TWUAs, FHPs, and financial assurances)
- Manh Choh
- For development and operations: Individual State authorizations from 2021-2025 have taken 1-6 months from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Plan of Ops, Rec Plan, and WMP authorizations and amendments, TWUAs, FHPs, and financial assurances)
- Pogo
- For expanding exploration and underground activities: Individual State authorizations from 2019-2024 have taken 2-7 months from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Plan of Ops, Rec Plan, and WMP renewals and amendments, Dam Safety authorizations, TWUAs, FHPs, and financial assurances)
- Red Dog
- For exploration roads, pads, and activities north of the Aqqaluk pit to support the Aqqaluk pit expansion: Individual State authorizations in 2024 have taken less than 1 month from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Rec Plan and financial assurances)
- Aktigiruq and Anarraaq
- For exploration, reclamation, roads, and pads: Individual State authorizations from 2021-2025 have taken 2-4 months from the time complete applications are received to final decisions (including Plan of Ops and Rec Plan renewals and amendments, TWUAs, FHPs, and financial assurances)
OPMP leads the State’s engagement and response to proposed Federal actions.
This program also involves OPMP facilitation of the State’s response to proposed Federal actions. OPMP coordinates multi-agency State review, represents the State as Cooperating Agency (engaging technical experts), and submits consolidated State comments:
- During the Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process on projects in its Mining Program.
- On proposed Federal rules, plans, and policies affecting mining (including conventional and critical mineral exploration, development, production, and transportation), and other projects and Alaskan interests.
Examples include the following. See the OPMP Years in Review under the Resources tab for references to additional examples.
- 2026
- 2025
- U.S. Department of Interior’s Request for Information on 2026 Energy Critical Materials Assessment and Regulations
- US Geological Survey 2025 Draft List of Critical Minerals
- U.S. Council on Environmental Quality Recission of its NEPA Implementing Regulations
- NEPA Implementing Regulations
- 2024
- Section 30D of the Internal Revenue Code Tax Credit
- Greens Creek Extension Project
- Ambler Road Draft Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement
- 2023