Alaska Online Public Notices #APMA 20269627

Alaska Hardrock Exploration Drilling and Trenching Project – Richardson Mining District

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land & Water, is reviewing a multi-year hardrock mineral exploration proposal in the Richardson Mining District near Delta Junction. - Government Buyer: - State of Alaska, Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land & Water - Applicants/OEMs: - Tower Exploration, LLC (owner) - Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc. (operator) - Project Scope: - Up to 500 drill holes, 30 trenches, and 100,000 linear feet of new trail construction over five years (2026-2031) - 2026 activities: 20 drill holes, 30 trenches, 5 acres disturbed on 3 claims - Use of diamond core and reverse circulation drill rigs (4- to 7-inch boreholes) - Equipment includes: - Diamond core drill rigs (e.g., Boart Longyear LF90D, Multipower Discovery II) - Reverse circulation drill rigs (e.g., Schramm 685EX, Versa V-140X) - Tracked dozers (John Deere 750, CAT D5, CAT D8) - Excavator (John Deere 225) - Tracked hauler (Prinoth GT3000) - Water truck (International MV607) - Support vehicles (Ford F250, Ford F550, John Deere Gator) - Water use: up to 28,800 gallons per day from multiple sources - No on-site camps; personnel commute from Delta Junction - Notable Requirements: - Miscellaneous Land Use Permits (MLUPs), Plan of Operations, and Reclamation Plan Approvals - Bonding for reclamation, adherence to spill prevention and response protocols - Public comment period prior to authorization - Compliance with state and federal environmental regulations - Detailed equipment inventories, stream crossings, and water sources provided in attachments

Description

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has received a Multi-Agency Application for Permits to Mine in Alaska (APMA) for hardrock exploration in the Richardson Mining District near Delta Junction. The application includes requests for Miscellaneous Land Use Permits, Plan of Operations Approval, and Reclamation Plan Approvals for mining operations. The project involves hardrock exploration drilling and trench excavation on state lands with proposed use from the date of authorization issuance until December 31, 2031. Public comments are invited until July 15, 2026.

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