OPINION: Interior Alaska ore-hauling plan is irresponsible and unsafe

I find myself surprised to add my voice to the thousands of Interior residents expressing opposition to the prospect of Canada-based Kinross Gold using our public highways as ore haul routes. I say “surprised” because I can’t believe this ridiculous plan has gotten this far.

Aside from the obvious danger to other motorists, how can the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities possibly think it’s OK for 80-plus ton, 95-foot trucks to run back and forth from Tetlin to Fairbanks every 15 to 30 minutes, 24 hours a day, approximately 92 runs, 365 days a year? Does DOT Maintenance really have that money to burn, patching up the asphalt and repairing the bridges that pavement engineers say these trucks will destroy at twice the rate of normal semis?

Every large bridge between Tetlin and Delta Junction will need to be replaced, and dozens of passing lanes constructed simply to serve this foreign corporation’s interest.

Anchorage residents should be as upset as we are. I bet every person reading this can think of better ways to use DOT construction and maintenance dollars. They could go to projects that will actually benefit the people of Alaska instead of a foreign corporation.

A handful of corporate proponents have used the recent improvements made to the Parks Highway for comparison. Yes, improvements have been made specifically for semis hauling fuel and groceries north. But seriously, folks. We’re talking about rocks. Each of these 80-plus ton trucks will contain only a few ounces of gold, which is hardly a critical mineral. We have enough gold sitting in our jewelry boxes and vaults to meet industrial demand for centuries.

There is also the matter of liability in case of accidents, which seem inevitable. Canada-based Kinross has contracted a small, privately held local trucking company — Black Gold — to do the hauls. Who knows if they have the insurance to cover accidents and won’t go bankrupt after the first one? Since the state has acknowledged that the highways are inadequate, it will be a prime target for lawsuits.

Like most Alaskans, I’m not anti-mining. Tetlin can do what they want with their land. However, I am against destroying state infrastructure in an act of pure corporate welfare. With essentially no benefit to the citizens of Alaska, and millions — billions? — of state dollars to lose, this “haul” needs to be shut down now.

Nicole Stewart is a lifelong Alaskan, currently residing in Fairbanks.

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