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

Kensington Gold Mine Archive

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History

Historically, development and ore production occurred at the Kensington mine site from 1897 through 1938. The adjacent Jualin project was discovered in 1895 and operated from 1896 to 1928. All told, both mines produced 40,513 ounces of gold from 75,208 tons of ore. More recent exploration activity has taken place during the 1980s and 1990s.

The Kensington Gold Project now encompasses and includes both the Kensington and Jualin prospects. The Kensington Gold Project is located on federal land overseen by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), on State of Alaska tidelands, and on private patented property.

In July of 1992, the USFS approved a Plan of Operations for the Kensington Gold Project. The plan called for underground mining; ore process, including onsite cyanidation; a tailings impoundment; marine discharge of process wastewater; and various support facilities, including the use of liquefied petroleum gas for power generation.

In August 1997, the USFS approved a revised Plan of Operation for the Kensington Gold Project. The modified plan called for offsite processing of floatation concentrates; placement of tailings in a dry tailings facility accessed through a pipeline, with 25% of tailings to be paste backfilled in the underground workings; diesel fuel would be used for power generation; and tailing slurry would be piped to a dewatering plant and the reclaimed water returned for reuse.

In November 2001, Coeur Alaska, Inc. (Coeur) submitted an amendment to its approved 1998 Plan of Operations to the USFS. The amendment modified site access and eliminated the dry tailings facility in favor of placing the tailings into an impoundment in Lower Slate Lake. In December of 2004, the USFS finalized the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and issued the Record of Decision for the modified Kensington project.

Financial Assurance

None at this time.

Permits and Approvals

Reclamation Plan Approval PDF December 26, 2012 Approval extension to June 30, 2013 PDF July 24, 2012 Approval extension to Dec 31, 2012 PDF March 6, 2012 Approval extension to Jun 30, 2012 PDF June 23, 2011 Approval extension to Dec 31, 2011 PDF Response to Comments on State of Alaska Authorizations for the Kensington Mine Project PDF Reclamation Plan Approval, Kensington Gold Mine Project, June 3, 2005 PDF Final ACMP consistency determination: AK 0406-13J - Kensington Mine PDF Final ACMP consistency determination: AK 0406-14J - Cascade Point Breakwater and Dock PDF Final Finding and Decision for a 25-year tideland lease (ADL 107152) for a marine facility at Cascade Point pursuant to AS 38.05.35(e) and AS 38.05.075(c) PDF Final Finding and Decision for a 25-year tideland lease (ADL 107154) for a marine facility at Slate Cove pursuant to AS 38.05.35(e) and AS 38.05.075(a) PDF Finding and Decision for control of public access along the Jualin Mine Road (RST-4) RS2477 right of way, extending from Slate Cove to the mine site in order to restrict public access for public health and safety, and security reasons, pursuant to AS 38.04.200 PDF Land Use Permit to allow road construction, operation and control of the Jualin Mine Road (RST-4) RS2477 right of way (LAS 24488), pursuant to AS 38.05.850 PDF Final Fish Habitat/Fish Passage permits AS 41.14.840/.840 for Lower Slate Lakes Tailings Impoundment PDF Final Fish Habitat/Fish Passage permits AS 41.14.840/.840 for Johnson Creek Infiltration Gallery PDF Final Fish Habitat/Fish Passage permits AS 41.14.840/.840 for Johnson Creek Bridge 1 PDF Final Fish Habitat/Fish Passage permits AS 41.14.840/.840 for Johnson Creek Bridge #2 PDF Final water rights authorizations for Lower Slate Lakes tailings impoundment (LAS 24486) PDF Final water rights authorizations for Johnson Creek (LAS 24432) PDF Final Alaska Coastal Management Program consistency determinations for Kensington Mine (State ID No. AK 0406-13J) PDF Final Alaska Coastal Management Program consistency determinations for Cascade Point Breakwater and Dock (State ID No. AK 0406-14J) PDF

Large Mine Permitting Program

Dam Safety

Environmental Audits

None at this time.

Inspection Reports

November 18, 2021 PDF August 18, 2021 USDA PDF July 29, 2021 USDA PDF June 17, 2021 USDA PDF May 6, 2021 USDA PDF

2020

February 26, 2020 USDA PDF

2019

December 18, 2019 USDA PDF November 14, 2019 USDA PDF October 16, 2019 USDA PDF September 23, 2019 USDA PDF August 21, 2019 USDA PDF July 17, 2019 USDA PDF April 24, 2019 USDA PDF March 21, 2019 USDA PDF February 19, 2019 USDA PDF

2018

November 15, 2018 USDA PDF May 8, 2018 USDA PDF March 29, 2018 USDA PDF March 6, 2018 USDA PDF January 31, 2018 USDA PDF

2017

December 21, 2017 USDA PDF November 28, 2017 USDA PDF October 18, 2017 USDA PDF August 24, 2017 USDA PDF July 27, 2017 USDA PDF July 12, 2017 USDA PDF June 1, 2017 USDA PDF April 18, 2017 USDA PDF March 22, 2017 USDA PDF February 8, 2017 USDA PDF February 8, 2017 USDA PDF

2016

December 29, 2016 USDA PDF December 14, 2016 USDA PDF October 27, 2016 USDA PDF September 15, 2016 USDA PDF August 15, 2016 USDA PDF July 6, 2016 USDA PDF May 18, 2016 USDA PDF March 1, 2016 USDA PDF February 17, 2016 PDF January 7, 2016 PDF

2015

April 1, 2015 PDF

2014

December 18, 2014 PDF December 16, 2014 - Golder Associates PDF October 1, 2014 PDF May 27, 2014 PDF

2013

September 17, 2013 USDA PDF August 21, 2013 USDA PDF July 16, 2013 USDA PDF July 11, 2013 PDF June 25, 2013 and July 16, 2013 DNR PDF June 18, 2013 PDF June 11, 2013 DNR PDF May 30 2013 USDA PDF

2012

October 10, 2012 PDF June 26, 2012 PDF June 05, 2012 PDF

2011

October 19, 2011 PDF June 09, 2011 PDF May 05, 2011 PDF January 27, 2011 PDF

2010

December 15, 2010 PDF August 25, 2010 PDF July 07, 2010 PDF June 10, 2010 PDF May 13, 2010 PDF April 27, 2010 PDF April 15, 2010 PDF February 25, 2010 PDF February 4, 2010 PDF January 14, 2010 PDF January 07, 2010 PDF

2009

November 09, 2009 PDF October 22, 2009 PDF October 15, 2009 PDF October 08, 2009 PDF September 24, 2009 PDF

Annual Reports and Meetings

Kensington Mine:
Coeur Alaska held their 2023 Kensington Mine Annual Meeting which is required by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Waste Management Permit (WMP), Section 2.4.2.7, on June 15, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm. The purpose of this meeting is to address the annual reports required by the WMP, which are available for review in the "2022 Annual Reports" section below.

Meeting Agenda PDF Annual Meeting Presentation PDF 2022 Aquatic Studies Presentation PDF

2022 Annual Reports

2022 Kensington Annual Report PDF Aquatic Studies at Kensington Mine, 2022 (ADF&G Technical Report No. 23-06) PDF 2022 Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 Annual Report PDF 2022 Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 4th Qtr. Report PDF 2022 APDES Permit AK 0050571 Annual Report PDF

Considering the logistical difficulties and health-related risks of holding an in-person meeting in this time of pandemic response, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Wastewater Discharge Authorization Program (WDAP) has waived Permit Part 2.4.2.7. The annual meeting for calendar year 2020 is cancelled. All other permit conditions remain in effect.

2019 Annual Reports

2019 Kensington Gold Mine Annual Report PDF 2019 Mountain goat population monitoring and movement patterns near the Kensington Mine PDF 2019 Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 Annual Report PDF 2019 Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 4th Qtr Report PDF 2019 Aquatic Studies at Kensington Gold Mine PDF APDES Annual Report, 2019 Vol. 2 Water Quality PDF
Date:
Time:
Location:
June 20, 2018
10:00AM - 3:30PM
DEC Juneau Offices
410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau
2nd Floor Main Conference Room
Agenda PDF

2017 Annual Reports

Kensington Gold Mine 2017 Annual Report PDF

Attachment 1: Kensington Marine Mammal Report - 2017 Transportation Action Strategy, May 2017, Coeur Alaska, Juneau, AK

Attachment 2: 2017 Terrestrial Wildlife Monitoring Report of the Slate Lakes Basin, January 2018, Juneau AK

Attachment 3: Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2016, ADFG

Attachment 4: 2017 Revegetation Test Plot Monitoring Data

Mountain goat population monitoring and movement patterns near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - March 2018, ADFG PDF Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 2017 Annual Report 4Q 2017 Report PDF APDES Volume 1: Aquatic Studies at Kensington Gold Mine, 2017, ADFG Technical Report No. 18-02 PDF APDES Volume 2: Water Quality 2017 PDF
Date:
Time:
Location:
June 27, 2017
10:00AM - 3:00PM
DEC Juneau Offices
410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau
2nd Floor Main Conference Room
Agenda PDF

2016 Annual Reports

Kensington Gold Mine 2016 Annual Report PDF

Attachment 1: Kensington Marine Mammal Report - 2016 Transportation Action Strategy, May 2014, Coeur Alaska, Juneau, AK

Attachment 2: 2016 Terrestrial Wildlife Monitoring Report of the Slate Lakes Basin, January 2017, Juneau AK

Attachment 3: Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2016, ADFG

Attachment 4: 2016 Re-vegetation test Plot Monitoring Data

Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2017, ADFG PDF Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 2016 4th Quarter and Annual Report PDF APDES Volume 1: Aquatic Studies at Kensington Mine, 2016 PDF APDES Volume 2: Water Quality 2016 PDF
Date:
Time:
Location:
July 13, 2016
10:00AM - 3:00PM
DEC Juneau Offices
410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau
2nd Floor Main Conference Room
Agenda PDF

2015 Annual Reports

Kensington Gold Mine 2015 Annual Report PDF

Attachment 1: Kensington Marine Mammal Report - 2015 Transportation Action Strategy, May 2015, Coeur Alaska, Juneau, AK

Attachment 2: 2015 Terrestrial Wildlife Monitoring Report of the Slate Lakes Basin, January 2015, Juneau AK

Attachment 3: Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2015, ADFG

Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2016, ADFG PDF Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 2015 Annual Report PDF Waste Management Permit No. 2013DB0002 4th Quarter 2015 Report PDF APDES Volume 1: Aquatic Studies at Kensington Mine, 2015 PDF APDES Volume 2: Water Quality 2015 PDF
Date:
Time:
Location:
July 7, 2015
10:00AM - 3:00PM
DEC Juneau Offices
410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau
2nd Floor Main Conference Room
Agenda PDF

2014 Annual Reports

Kensington Gold Mine 2014 Annual Report PDF

Attachment 1: Kensington Marine Mammal Report - 2014 Transportation Action Strategy, May 2014, Coeur Alaska, Juneau, AK

Attachment 2: 2014 Terrestrial Wildlife Monitoring Report of the Slate Lakes Basin, January 2015, Juneau AK

Attachment 3: Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2014, ADFG

Mountain Goat Population Monitoring near the Kensington Mine, Alaska - February 2015, ADFG PDF APDES Volume 1: Aquatic Studies at Kensington Mine, 2014 PDF APDES Volume 2: Water Quality 2014 PDF
Date:
Time:
Location:
June 5, 2009
8:00AM
DEC Juneau Offices
410 Willoughby Avenue, Juneau
2nd Floor Main Conference Room

2008 Annual Reports

Kensington Gold Project 2008 Report PDF NPDES Volume 1: Aquatic Resources 2008 PDF NPDES Volume 2: Water Quality 2008 PDF

Other Supporting Documents

2004 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Dec 2004)

Volume I PDF Volume II PDF

1997 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Aug 1997)

Volume I PDF Volume II PDF

1992 Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Jan 1992)

Volume I PDF Volume II PDF

Public Notices

July 29, 2011 (Outfall 002 Lat/Long modified on November 7, 2011)

Permit Effective Date: September 1, 2011

APDES Permit No. AK0050571 PDF Permit Fact Sheet PDF Response to Comments PDF

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has issued a Notice of Applicant Review of an Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) Preliminary Draft Permit for Kensington Gold Project, Coeur Alaska Inc. The 10-day applicant review period runs from 11/30/2010 to 12/13/2010.

Prior to a formal 30-day public notice period, ADEC invites you to review the Preliminary Draft Permit, fact sheet, and associated documents. Public comments will be accepted during the formal 30-day public review period which is expected to begin in late December. Permit documents can also be accessed from the ADEC Wastewater Discharge Authorization website under the Public Notice section.

Public Notice: Kensington Mine - Applications and State Draft Decisions

Public Notice Start: April 29, 2022

Public Notice End: May 31, 2022

On April 29, 2022, the State of Alaska is releasing application renewal documents for the Kensington Mine, Coeur Alaska Inc., existing mining operation and the following draft state decisions for a 32-day public review and comment period. The Kensington Mine is an underground gold mine operated by Coeur Alaska Inc. and located on United States Forest Service land and privately owned lands, in Southeast Alaska. The project applicant, Coeur Alaska Inc., applied for renewal of their Waste Management Permit and Reclamation Plan Approval. Comments were handled via the DEC's Public Comment system.

Public Comments

Written comments on the proposed permits must be submitted within 32 days of the first publication of this public notice or no later than May 31, 2022. Please direct written comments to the attention of Sylvia Kreel online or at the address or email identified below. All comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the commenter, and a concise statement of comment on the permit condition and the relevant facts upon which the comment is based. Comments of either support or concern which are directed at specific, cited permit requirements are appreciated. Mailed comments must be postmarked on or before the expiration date of the public notice.

Comments were handled via DEC's public notice system.

Sylvia Kreel, Large Mine Coordinator
DNR / Office of Project Management and Permitting
PO Box 111030
Juneau, AK 99811
(907) 465-3177
kgm.comments@alaska.gov

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS:
May 31, 2022, at 5:00 pm ADT

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has issued a Public Notice for the proposed Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (APDES) Permit to Kensington Gold Project applicant Coeur Alaska Inc.

The 45-day Public Notice Period runs from 4/25/2011 to 6/9/2011

PUBLIC MEETING and HEARING
May 26, 2011
5:00 to 7:00 PM
Centennial Hall, Hammond Room
101 Egan Drive, Juneau

ADEC invites you to review the Draft Permit AK0050571 and associated Fact Sheet. Details for the Public Comment process are presented in the Public Notice. Permit documents can also be accessed from the ADEC Wastewater Discharge Authorization website under the Public Notice section.

DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS:
June 9, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.

Contact

Sylvia Kreel
Large Mine Coordinator
Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Office of Project Management and Permitting
Phone: (907) 465-3177
Fax: (907) 465-3886
Email

Mail to:
PO Box 111030
Juneau, AK 99811-1030

Visit at:
400 Willoughby Ave, 4th Floor
Juneau, AK 99801

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