Chilkat Valley News - Serving Haines and Klukwan, Alaska since 1966

A mining prospect near the headwaters of the Chilkat River is attempting to amend its permit application and expand operations. The public has been granted an additional two weeks to comment on the issue.

The Palmer Project, led by Constantine Mining LLC, is a mineral exploration project targeting copper, zinc, gold and silver.

The Palmer Project’s latest request involves two sites on the north and south sides of Glacier Creek, roughly half a mile from the Klehini river. The amendment would grant three months of seismic surveys using 484 pounds of dynamite, 5.6 miles of 25-foot wide “access trails,” 51 new drill holes and the operation of heavy machinery and helicopters. The amendment would not permit actual mine development.

The proposed project would last from June 25 to mid-August. Roughly 20 acres of land would be disturbed.

The company also requested to build a bridge over Glacier Creek to reach one of the sites. If the bridge cannot be installed, Constantine has requested to drive heavy machinery through the creek. Another stream that runs through the site may need to be crossed at five locations, the company’s document states.

Shannon Donahue, who works for the environmental group Rivers Without Borders, told KHNS that the proposed activities suggest the company is considering two sites for tailings storage. Tailings are leftover materials from the processing of mined ore.

“Some of the new drill sites are in some very new locations, closer to the Klehini River,” Donahue said. “And what’s interesting is if you go back to the 2019 preliminary economic assessment that Constantine released, those are the same locations that they had proposed for tailings storage.”

Constantine did not respond to the CVN’s request to confirm these claims.

The project was announced to the public through a 100-page document posted to the state of Alaska website May 2. The period for comment was originally open until May 16, but was extended until June 3 after the DNR received more than 200 requests to do so, Alaska DNR spokesperson Lorraine Henry said.

Lynn Canal Conservation, a local environmentalist group, is pushing for a 90-day comment period. Henry said the current comment period is simply a courtesy, as the state of Alaska does not have to notify the public in the case of exploration.

Takshanuk Watershed Council executive director Derek Poinsette said he is happy the state has included the public in the process. The impacts of the proposed activities would be much greater than the company’s past projects, he said.

“Over the past few years, the state has not always been transparent in how and when it issues permits for mining activities at the Palmer Project,” Poinsette said in an email. “This permit application represents a significant change of course for the mining company. Instead of working high up on the mountain drilling samples from platforms, they will now be down in the Klehini valley bottom, directly impacting salmon streams and wildlife like moose, bears, and eagles. They will also be working just a couple of miles from people’s homes, and in areas where people hunt, cut firewood, and recreate almost daily.”

LCC claims that Constantine should acquire an entirely new permit for the proposed activities, rather than just amend their original permit. Poinsette said the permitting process is “complicated.” Constantine would still have to receive a land-use permit from the DNR to carry out their proposed plans, he said.

On Thursday, the Haines Borough Assembly will discuss submitting a comment to the DNR during the public comment period, borough manager Annette Kreitzer told the CVN.

Residents with questions, comments or requests to view the full application packet can contact DNR representative Sara Church by telephone (907) 458-6896, fax (907) 451-2703 or email dnr.fbx.mining@alaska.gov. The public comment period is open until June 3 at 5 p.m.