Pogo Mine operator seeks to fill 9.18 acres of wetlands for rock storage

Northern Star (Pogo) LLC has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to permanently fill about 9.18 more acres of wetlands at the Pogo Mine, a Corps public notice issued Friday said.

The request would modify the mine's existing Corps permit. The company says it wants to expand facilities for storing non-mineralized rock, along with space to lay down materials and equipment, next to the existing 1380 portals. The fill would be non-mineralized rock from the mine property.

A new stilling basin, a pond where sediment settles out, and a system of ditches would catch all runoff from the rock and storage pads. Water leaving the basin would pass through a natural vegetated area for final filtering before it reaches the Goodpaster River. The Alaska Department of Fish and Game lists the river as a salmon stream within the known range of Chinook and chum salmon. The Corps says the river would not be affected and the work would not adversely affect essential fish habitat.

Northern Star proposes no mitigation beyond reclaiming the site when mining ends, though it commits to looking for onsite wetland restoration and enhancement opportunities as the mine develops.

The Corps will not issue the permit until the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation grants or waives a state water quality certification.

The underground gold mine, on state land 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction, produced 242,808 ounces of gold in 2022, according to the Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water.

Work could begin this winter if the needed approvals come through. Public comments are due to the Corps by Dec. 1, and anyone may ask in writing for a public hearing by then.