Canadian mining company Kinross/Peak Gold plans to haul gold-bearing ore from the Manh Choh mine near Tetlin to the Fort Knox processing plant north of Fairbanks. Kinross proposes up to 60 ore trains (95-foot-long, double- trailer behemoths weighing 164,000 pounds) per day, around the clock for the next 4-5 years.
Kinross’ stated goal is to use the Fort Knox processing plant for all proposed mines within a 300-mile radius of Fairbanks, essentially utilizing almost every major highway in the state.
Because the mine is on Tetlin tribal lands, the state will receive no royalty income. Millions of Alaska’s highway dollars will be diverted to upgrade the Tetlin-Fort Knox route so less money is available for other Alaskan roads.
Kinross’ own studies indicate building a processing mill near the Tetlin site would be not only profitable but would pay for itself within two years, obviating the problems associated with the 250-mile haul. The Alaska Department of Transportation knows that at least two bridges (Johnson River, Gerstle River) are inadequate to handle these heavy loads, yet they are allowing the haul to proceed; are they working for us or Kinross?
Fifty years ago, the oil companies wanted to begin the trans-Alaska oil pipeline with few regulations. It took a few years longer for the oil to flow, but the well-regulated pipeline we have has proven the worth of the delay. The oil was not going anywhere back then, and the gold in Tetlin will still be there after the transportation situation is worked out to the maximum benefit of Alaskans, rather than the accelerated profits for Kinross.
DOT and most of the legislators I have corresponded withsay the same thing; “it is not illegal, therefore, we can’t do anything about it.” As legislators, they should be able to
do something about it. The workings of this ore haul deal look suspicious. Why is D.OT. unwilling to hold Kinross to their own regulations?
If the bridges and passing lanes are indeed currently inadequate, the trucks should not be allowed on the route until those upgrades can be finished. Alaska is the only state without maximum weight restrictions for trucks; the 95-foot, 164,000-pound Kinross trucks would be illegal in most, if not all, states, without a permit.
Kinross’ ore haul plans will trash our roads for years to come and put thousands of Alaskans at risk along the haul routes, and the state will be picking up the tab. Legislators shouldn’t place corporate desires ahead of the best interests of the residents of our state who elected them. Legislators, do your jobs — fix this.
— Karl Monetti
North Pole
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