Alaska Online Public Notices #POA-2025-00491

Temporary Access Roads, Bridges, and Exploration Facilities for Nikolai Nickel Project

This opportunity concerns the construction and operation of temporary access infrastructure and exploration facilities for the Nikolai Nickel Project in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. - Government Buyers: - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Alaska District (Fairbanks Field Office, Regulatory Division) - Alaska Energy Metals Development Corporation (AEMC) - OEMs and Vendors: - Alaska Energy Metals Development Corporation (AEMC) is the primary applicant and project operator - Products and Services Requested: - Rehabilitation of 17 miles of existing gravel road (Rainy Creek Mining Road) - Construction of 6 miles of new temporary gravel access road (13 feet wide), including mechanized land clearing, geotextile fabric, and gravel prism - Installation of two temporary bridges: - Delta River: 195-foot bridge with eight driven pipe piles (18–24 inch diameter), 1,830 cubic yards of fill - Eureka Creek: 300-foot bridge with fourteen driven pipe piles (18–24 inch diameter), 1,000 cubic yards of fill - Up to 100 drill pads (diamond core drilling) established primarily in wetlands, totaling approximately 9.4 acres of temporary wetland impact - Construction of a 15-acre man camp pad, staging area, and equipment laydown - Sourcing and placement of approximately 15,450 cubic yards of clean sand and gravel from local uplands - Unique or Notable Requirements: - Extensive environmental mitigation measures, including: - Use of low water crossings and GeoBlocks in wetlands - Minimized grading and no chemical use in drilling - Lined drill pads and hydrocyclone dewatering of drilling fluids and cuttings - No discharge to wetlands or surface waters - On-site wetland restoration and reclamation plans - Bonding for reclamation and closure - Project is subject to special emergency permitting procedures due to its relevance to critical mineral supply and national interest - Public comments are solicited as part of the permitting process

Description

Alaska Energy Metals Development Corporation is applying for a permit to construct and operate a temporary access road and exploration facilities for mineral exploration at the Nikolai Nickel Project in Southeast Fairbanks Census Area, Alaska. The project includes rehabilitating a 17-mile gravel road, building 6 miles of new temporary gravel road, and constructing two temporary bridges over the Delta River and Eureka Creek. Up to 100 drill pads will be established in wetlands with measures to minimize water quality impacts. The project duration is from June 1, 2026 to January 1, 2031, and public comments are due by April 25, 2026.

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