Notification of intent to issue mining lease - Solicitation for mineral right conflicts

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources plans to issue a new upland mining lease (ADL 422797) to Northern Star (Pogo) LLC. The lease covers about 36,014 acres in the Fairbanks Meridian and combines many existing mining claims. Before issuing it, the state is asking anyone with a conflicting mineral right claim on this land to come forward.

Why was this notice issued?

The mining claim holder applied to convert mining claims into an upland mining lease, or to renew existing upland mining leases, under Alaska Statute (AS) 38.05.205(a) and Alaska Administrative Code (AAC) 11 AAC 86.305. Before issuing a mining lease, the state must publish a newspaper public notice and find out whether anyone has conflicting mineral right interests.

What action is being taken?

The Division of Mining, Land and Water plans to issue upland mining lease ADL 422797 to Northern Star (Pogo) LLC 30 days or more after the date of the notice, unless it is told about conflicting mineral right interests. The lease would give the holder the exclusive right to possess and extract locatable minerals, subject to AS 38.05.185 - 38.05.275. It would last as long as mining takes, could be renewed, and would require rent and production royalties. The lessee must get all required permits before any exploration or mining can happen.

Who is involved: Northern Star (Pogo) LLC, 3204 International St. Fairbanks AK 99701 (claim holder and lease applicant), consolidating Mining Claims ADLs 597731, 560607-560620, 560627, 560632, 560638, 560643, 561509-561510, 562399-562426, 562428-562447, 562449, 562455-562457, 562463-562475, 563614-563631, 563855-563879, 565313-565357, 565374-565446, 568819-568984, 571902-572164, 574904-574975, 575390-575444, 575460, 575476-575487, 592661-592686, 592688-592715, 592727, 592729, 592731-592827, 593465-593498, 597692-597737, 601297-601368, 614998-615009.

How can the public respond?

Respond by Thu, Oct 15, 2026 This deadline has passed.

“The lease will be issued 30 days or more after the date of the notice unless the Division is notified of conflicting mineral right interests. Based on the publish date of 2026-09-15, 30 days after is 2026-10-15.”

Ways to respond

Mail USPS: Attn: Ian Minnock, Mineral Property Mgmt., 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 900B Anchorage AK 99501
Email dnr.dmlw.mpm@alaska.gov

What to include

Send any information about conflicting mining locations or mineral right interests, or questions about this upland mining lease application. Refer to upland mining lease ADL 422797. The lease area is in the Fairbanks Meridian: Township 005S, Range 014E Sections 13-16, 21-25, 27-28, 33-36; Township 005S, Range 015E Sections 18-20, 28-36; Township 006S, Range 14E Sections 1-4, 9-15, 22-25, 36; Township 006S, Range 15E Sections 1-34. A lease map is attached to the notice.

Contact

Ian Minnock
Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Mineral Property Management
dnr.dmlw.mpm@alaska.gov
550 W 7th Ave, Suite 900B Anchorage AK 99501

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

Sep 15, 2026: Notice published
Oct 15, 2026: 30 days after the notice; the lease may be issued on or after this date if no conflicting mineral right interests are reported

Original notice text

NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE UPLAND MINING LEASE The Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water hereby gives notice that the locator listed in this notice has recorded a mining location on land in which the mineral holds the mineral estate. The locators have applied with the state to covert minging claims into upland lease or to renew pre-existing upland mining leases under AS 38.05.205(a) and 11 AAC 86.305. Holder NORTHERN STAR (POGO) LLC of 3204 International St. Fairbanks AK 99701, consolidating Mining Claims ADLs 597731, 560607-560620, 560627, 560632, 560638, 560643, 561509-561510, 562399-562426, 562428-562447, 562449, 562455-562457, 562463-562475, 563614-563631, 563855-563879, 565313-565357, 565374-565446, 568819-568984, 571902-572164, 574904-574975, 575390-575444, 575460, 575476-575487, 592661-592686, 592688-592715, 592727, 592729, 592731-592827, 593465-593498, 597692-597737, 601297-601368, 614998-615009. The new upland mining lease ADL 422797 is located in the Fairbanks Meridian within Township 005S, Range 014E Sections 13-16, 21-25, 27-28, 33-36; Township 005S, Range 015E Sections 18-20, 28-36; Township 006S, Range 14E Sections 1-4, 9-15, 22-25, 36; Township 006S, Range 15E Sections 1-34 Lease contains approximately 36,014 acres. Prior to issuing a mining lease, the state is required to issue a newspaper public notice of the leasing action and determine if there are any conflicting mineral right interests. Unless the Division of Mining, Land and Water is notified of conflicting mineral right interests, a lease will be issued to the locator below, 30 days or more after the date of this notice. Mining lessees have the exclusive right of possession and extraction of locatable minerals subject to AS 38.05.185 - 38.05.275. Leases are issued for the term it takes to mine and are renewable if necessary. The lease will require mandatory rent and production royalty requirements. Once the lease is issued, the lessee must obtain all required permits before exploration or mining can occur. Any information about conflicting locations or questions about this upland mining lease application must be sent by USPS: Attn: Ian Minnock, Mineral Property Mgmt., 550 W 7th Ave, Suite 900B Anchorage AK 99501 or emailed to:dnr.dmlw.mpm@alaska.gov

This summary was written by an AI model (Claude) from the official notice text. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm deadlines and instructions in the official notice. Legal disclaimer.