Mining

EPA plans public meetings on Bristol Bay mine study

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning eight meetings in which to share information about, and gather public comment on, its draft watershed assessment for Bristol Bay.

Utility looks to EPA to help revive Healy coal plant

A Fairbanks utility is going directly to the Environmental Protection Agency in its effort to bring online a dormant coal plant near Healy south of Denali National Park.

Mine could hurt Alaska salmon, EPA warns

The federal Environmental Protection Agency says a failure of the huge Pebble mine, planned near the headwaters of one of the world's premier salmon fisheries, could wipe out or degrade rivers and streams in the region for decades.

EPA's Pebble / Bristol Bay assessment

EPA's Bristol Bay mining study upsets Alaska officials

Pebble mine developers earmark $107 million for permitting

A Canadian mining company eyeing development of a huge Alaska copper and gold deposit near one of the world's premier salmon fisheries said Tuesday that $107 million has been allocated to prepare the mine for permitting starting this year.

EPA's Bristol Bay mining study upsets Alaska officials

The Parnell administration is fighting a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency study that looks at the potential impacts of mining on the world-class Bristol Bay salmon fishery. The watershed assessment is a direct response to concerns that have been raised about the Pebble Mine project.

Groups file suit to halt to Usibelli coal mining in Mat-Su

Five nonprofit groups are suing the Usibelli Coal Mine company, claiming it's operating its Wishbone Hill prospect in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough without a valid permit. The groups are seeking an injunction to stop mining.

Survey finds new gold deposit at Pogo mine in state's Interior

A newly discovered deposit at the Pogo mine in the Interior contains at least 1.2 million ounces of gold, a find that company officials believe will extend the life of the project by more than two years.

Mat-Su miner fined $5,000 for diverting salmon stream

A 59-year-old Trapper Creek miner has been found guilty by a Palmer jury of diverting a salmon stream. State prosecutors say he is developing a plan to restore the creek.

Monday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

Company gets OK to explore for ore near Juneau

The U.S. Forest Service has approved exploration by Greens Creek Mine for new ore deposits next to its sulfide mine on Admiralty Island.

Lax company policies blamed in fatal mine blast

A federal agency blames inadequate company policies, procedures and controls for a fatal accident in September at a Southeast Alaska mine. Kensington Mine worker Joseph Tagaban was killed in a planned rock blast.

Pebble mine opponents see environmental study as slanted

The group behind a massive copper and gold prospect near a premier Alaska salmon fishery has released what it calls "one of the most exhaustive environmental study programs" in U.S. mining history. But critics question the study process.

Pebble Project Environmental Baseline Document

Is Nome ready for a TV-inspired gold rush?

Discovery Channel's "Bering Sea Gold" debut in late January was the highest-rated series launch in the channel's history. The show features gold seekers who scour the ocean floor just off Nome. Now Nome folks are wondering if they're in for a sourdough gold rush this summer, reports The Nome Nugget.

Pebble mine developers aim for permitting process this year

An executive said the goal is to move toward permitting for a massive copper and gold prospect near the headwaters of Bristol Bay as early as this year.

Natural Resources has been shrinking its permit backlog

The Department of Natural Resources said it has reduced a backlog of permits by 20 percent in six months.

Today's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

Bill aimed at Pebble among 28 new legislative filings

Another 28 bills have been filed ahead of next week's legislative session start, including a measure that would require legislative approval for a project like the proposed Pebble Mine.

List of prefiled bills

Alaska leads nation in toxic chemical releases

The gargantuan Red Dog Mine in Northwest Alaska is by far the leading releaser of toxic chemicals in the Environmental Protection Agency's northwest region, according to a recently released report. The mine produces mainly zinc and lead. And Alaska sources accounted for 90 percent of the releases documented in the four-state region, reports the Alaska Public Radio Network.

China due to become Alaska's top export customer

China will emerge as Alaska's top export customer for 2011 when final trade statistics are counted for the last two months of the year, state officials say.

Friday's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

Today's oil, gas, gold and zinc prices

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Alaska Business Wire

Oil up to near $92 on Greece vote optimism, Iran

Oil rose to near $92 a barrel Monday as Greek polls suggested pro-austerity parties might win elections next month, raising the likelihood the country will stay in the euro common currency.

Tony Blair says he ducked fight with UK media

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair testified Monday that he never challenged the influential British press because doing so would have plunged his administration into a drawn-out and politically damaging fight.

Smith, Jones' 'MiB3' zaps 'Avengers' out of No. 1

The comic action heroes of "Men in Black 3" have taken over the weekend box office from the comic-book superheroes of "The Avengers."

Russian tycoon unexpectedly quits as CEO of TNK-BP

Russian tycoon Mikhail Fridman on Monday unexpectedly announced his resignation as chief executive of TNK-BP, a sign of rising tensions between shareholders at the Russian venture of British company BP.

Greek stocks soar on pro-bailout party's poll gain

Greek stock markets rebounded strongly on Monday from a 22-year low on hopes a pro-bailout party will win crucial national elections next month, which would avoid a catastrophic rift with international creditors and keep the struggling country within the euro currency union.