The development of a new mine would create hundreds of Alaska jobs.
The Alaska Department of Law recently filed a supplemental brief with the U.S. Supreme Court supporting development of the Kensington Mine near Juneau. Gov. Sarah Palin has touted the importance of the mining industry to Alaska’s economy.
“Except for the oil and gas sector, mining jobs are the best-paying jobs in Alaska, with average annual wages over $80,000,” Palin said in a press release. “These jobs and the jobs created indirectly would be a tremendous boost to Southeast Alaska. Coeur-Alaska also has a good record of working with the university and tribal and ANCSA entities to train and hire Alaskans.”
The Kensington Mine is located on the east side of Lynn Canal, about 45 miles northwest of downtown Juneau. It holds an estimated 1.35 million ounces of gold.
“The state’s legal efforts, including the supplemental brief filed today, show support for developing our resources responsibly, growing Alaska’s economy and creating well-paying jobs,” Gov. Sarah Palin said. “The brief should assist the Supreme Court with rendering a decision that finally allows the Kensington Mine to move ahead.”
The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council previously filed a lawsuit to stop development of the mine. The suit alleged that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers violated federal law by issuing permits that allow tailings to be deposited in a small and remote muskeg lake. The state intervened to assist mine owner Coeur-Alaska and the corps in defending the permit.
The U.S. District Court upheld the corps permit, but SEACC appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which reversed the lower court and invalidated the permit. That caused the appeal to be filed with the U.S. Supreme Court.
“One of the issues raised by the justices implies that they are considering narrow procedural grounds for deciding the case, without actually determining whether the mine discharge is legal,” Deputy Attorney General Craig Tillery said in the press release. “We, and Coeur, want the court to make a definitive ruling on the central issue, so that everyone knows what the rules are.”
The mine has been under construction since 2005, which has cost more than $300 million. About 400 people have had jobs in Alaska during construction, almost all by Alaska Native corporations.
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