Usibelli can keep mining at Two Bull Ridge near Healy while state weighs renewal

Usibelli Coal Mine can keep running its surface coal operation five miles northeast of Healy while the state weighs a five-year renewal. People who may be affected have until Oct. 5 to comment.

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources' Division of Mining, Land and Water issued preliminary findings Aug. 14 that the company's renewal request for the 2,522-acre Two Bull Ridge mine is complete and consistent with state coal law. That opened a public notice period the same day. Usibelli filed on April 6, more than 120 days before the permit term was set to end.

"UCM has the right to continue surface coal mining operations under the existing permit until a final decision is made on their request for renewal," the findings say. The division's coal program, managed by Russell Kirkham, approved the application to move to public notice.

DNR's findings say the renewal would not change the project's scope or environmental impacts. It covers only previously approved areas in the Denali Borough, with no new mining proposed. The site has 58.6 acres under Phase I bond release, 41.9 acres under Phase II and 32.2 acres under Phase III.

DNR also plans to review, and revise if needed, the mine's $5.4 million reclamation bond, the money set aside so the state can restore the site if Usibelli does not. The permit was first issued in October 1997 and has been renewed five times. It drew two notices of violation, in 2002 and 2003.

The Resource Development Council for Alaska backed the last renewal in 2021. Denali Citizens Council, based near Healy, has challenged other state approvals for Usibelli activity in the area, arguing they don't adequately protect nearby homes and wildlife habitat.

Anyone who may be adversely affected can file written comments or request an informal conference until 5 p.m. Oct. 5. Comments can go by mail to the Mining Section in Anchorage or by email to [email protected] with the subject line "Two Bull Ridge Mine Renewal."