Alaska Online Public Notices #F20263042POOA

Award for Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project: Antimony Pilot Plant and Bulk Sampling Operations

This award notice details the approval and funding for the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project, including a pilot plant for antimony trisulfide production. - Government Buyer: - Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water - U.S. Department of War (funding and military specification requirements) - OEMs and Vendors: - METS Engineering Group Pty Ltd. (engineering) - SLR (liner system cost estimates) - Caterpillar Inc. (CAT equipment) - Sullair (compressor) - Volvo (haul truck) - MME (drill attachment) - Products and Equipment Requested: - Bulk sampling of antimony ore: 442 tons from Styx, 200-400 tons from Stibium - CAT 303.5 Mini Excavator, CAT D8 Dozer, CAT 320 Excavator - Sullair 185 Towable Compressor - Volvo A30G Haul Truck - MME Mini Excavator Drill Attachment - Geosynthetic liner for disposal facility (estimated $125,000) - Military-grade antimony trisulfide (Sb2S3) concentrate, produced to MIL-DTL-159E(AR) specification - Services Requested: - Bulk sampling, excavation, drilling, blasting, trail construction - Crushing, screening, ore sorting, pilot plant refining - Reclamation and closure: backfilling, contouring, capping tailings, revegetation, equipment removal, long-term monitoring, environmental audits - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Pilot plant to establish a domestic supply chain for antimony, critical for U.S. defense applications - Compliance with state and federal environmental, safety, and reporting regulations - Financial assurance bonds totaling $6,630,000 - Detailed waste handling, lined disposal facilities, and comprehensive reclamation measures - Environmental audits, temporary closure, and transfer stipulations - $43.4 million Department of War grant supports development - Antimony trisulfide must meet MIL-DTL-159E(AR) military specification - Project includes engineering data generation for future scale-up

Description

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has received requests to issue a Plan of Operations and Reclamation Plan Approvals for the Estelle Gold and Critical Minerals Project to support a bulk sampling program and small-scale refining pilot plant to test and determine the feasibility of producing antimony concentrate and refined antimony trisulfide. The project involves excavation, drilling, blasting, ore sorting, and processing at multiple sites including State lands and private land within the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The pilot plant aims to produce military-grade antimony trisulfide and is supported by $43.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of War. The public is invited to comment on the project by October 12, 2026.

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