Niblack Spectre Rises Again
Alaska’s Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water has received an application for the renewal of the Niblack Project Reclamation Plan Approval. While that sounds like progress to close a rather problematic mine that has left environmental scars and DEC with a bruise to their reputation, the full language in the notice states that the ultimate goal is to support ongoing underground exploration and use of surface facilities — just a continuation of the “temporary closure” status they’ve been in for over a decade.
Call To Action!
Tell the DNR Division of Mining, Land, and Water that Niblack ought to be closed — for good! Efforts should go toward final reclamation of the oozing acid mess that’s polluting our lands and waters. Please submit a public comment through Jul 30, 2025 at 5:00pm.
Negligence & Mismanagement
This mine has repeatedly failed to honor its permits; instead of being forced to face any consequences DEC simply moved the goalposts to accommodate the negligence and mismanagement. Uncovered acid generating waste piles? No problem; leave them uncovered and build settling ponds to catch the acid. Waste is building up too fast? Dump it into the forest to avoid contaminating Moira Sound. The pipes leak in the winter? Ignore the previous permits and plan of operation — just dump copper-laden wastewater into nearby Moira Sound. Don’t worry about how much, double the allowance of copper and don’t measure. Then it can’t look like failing.
