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Archived Public comment opportunity Public Notices · Multi-Agency Application for Permits to Mine in Alaska – APMA

Request for Extension APMA J20245690 Hardrock Exploration Plan of Ops

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been asked to give a mining company five more years to finish exploration work it was already approved to do on 16 state mining claims at the Palmer Project, near Haines. The only question is whether to move the approval's end date from December 31, 2028, to December 31, 2033. The public can send written comments until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

Constantine Mining, LLC and Constantine North, Inc. asked DNR to extend the expiration date of their existing Plan of Operations Approval (casefile APMA J20245690). APMA stands for Application for Permits to Mine in Alaska. DNR is considering the request under state regulation 11 AAC 86.800(d).

What action is being taken?

DNR's Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW) is deciding whether to extend the Plan of Operations Approval for hardrock exploration and reclamation on 16 state mining claims from 12/31/2028 to 12/31/2033. Only the expiration date would change. The approved activities, the lands covered, and all other terms would stay the same. DNR is not reopening the original plan or decision. This review does not cover the Palmer Project as a whole, nearby federal mining claims, or Mental Health Trust lands. After the comment period, DNR will issue a decision on the extension only.

Who is involved: Constantine Mining, LLC and Constantine North, Inc. (applicants); Palmer Project, Glacier Creek, near Haines, Juneau Mining District (Sections 25 & 26, Township 28 South, Range 53 East, and Sections 29 & 30, Township 28 South, Range 54 East, Copper River Meridian)

How can the public respond?

Respond by Fri, Nov 6, 2026 This deadline has passed.

“Friday November 6 at 5:00 p.m. AST (comments must be received by DMLW on or before this deadline; year 2026 based on the publish date)”

Ways to respond

  • Email dnr.apma.comments@alaska.gov
  • Mail Dave Charron, Geologist 5, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Fairbanks Mine Permitting Office, 3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709

What to include

Comments must be in writing and received by the deadline. Refer to casefile APMA J20245690. Comments should address only whether DNR should grant the extension of the expiration date for the approved activities on the 16 state mining claims, including information about allowing more time to finish the previously approved work. Questions or requests to view documents can go to Dave Charron at (907)451-2736. The extension request is attached to the online notice. Background documents: initial plan of operations at https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/large-mines/palmer/pdf/apma/J245690.pdf and the 1/15/2025 Notice of Decision at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=218177. People with disabilities who need help to comment can contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services.

Contact

Dave Charron, Geologist 5
Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land and Water, Fairbanks Mine Permitting Office
dnr.apma.comments@alaska.gov
(907)451-2736
3700 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska 99709

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

  • Jan 15, 2025: Date of the original Notice of Decision issuing the Plan of Operations Approval
  • Nov 6, 2026: Written comment deadline, 5:00 p.m. AST
  • Dec 31, 2028: Current expiration date of the Plan of Operations Approval
  • Dec 31, 2033: Requested new expiration date

Original notice text

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC AND REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Request to Extend Plan of Operations Approval for Activities on 16 State Mining Claims - Palmer Project APMA J20245690 for Hardrock Exploration and Reclamation The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Division of Mining, Land and Water (DMLW), has received a request under casefile APMA J20245690 to extend the expiration date of the existing Plan of Operations Approval for previously approved exploration activities on 16 state mining claims associated with the Palmer Project from 12/31/2028 to 12/31/2033. This notice applies solely to the requested extension for approved activities on those state mining claims within the legal description below. It does not apply to the Palmer Project as a whole or to activities on adjacent federal mining claims or Mental Health Trust lands. APPLICANTS Constantine Mining, LLC & Constantine North, Inc. PROJECT NAME Palmer Project - Activities on 16 State Mining Claims Only GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION Glacier Creek, near the community of Haines, Juneau Mining District LEGAL DESCRIPTION Sections 25 & 26, Township 28 South, Range 53 East, Copper River Meridian Sections 29 & 30, Township 28 South, Range 54 East, Copper River Meridian REQUESTED ACTION AND SCOPE OF REVIEW The applicants have requested an extension of the expiration date of the existing Plan of Operations Approval from 12/31/2028 to 12/31/2033 to allow additional time to complete previously approved work on the 16 state mining claims. DNR is considering the extension request pursuant to 11 AAC 86.800(d). The scope of this public notice and DNR’s subsequent decision is limited solely to whether to grant the requested extension of the expiration date. No changes to the previously approved activities, the lands covered by the approval, or any other terms and conditions of the Plan of Operations Approval are proposed or under consideration through this request. If granted, the extension would change only the expiration date; all other terms and conditions of the existing approval would remain unchanged. DNR is not reopening or reconsidering the underlying plan of operations, associated decision documents, or previously issued Plan of Operations Approval through this extension process. This notice and the subsequent decision do not concern the Palmer Project as a whole, activities on adjacent federal mining claims or Mental Health Trust lands, or permits or approvals governing those activities. The requested extension would not authorize activities or land use beyond those covered by the existing Plan of Operations Approval. Public comments should address whether DNR should grant the requested extension of the expiration date for the approved activities on the 16 state mining claims, including information relevant to allowing additional time to complete the previously approved work. REQUESTED EXPIRATION DATE Current expiration date: 12/31/2028 Requested expiration date: 12/31/2033 EXTENSION REQUEST AND BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS The request to extend the expiration date is available at the bottom of this posting as an attachment to this notice. Additionally, the following documents are provided solely for background and reference to identify the previously approved activities and the existing approval to which the extension request applies: • Initial plan of operations APMA J20245690: https://dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/large-mines/palmer/pdf/apma/J245690.pdf • Link to 1/15/2025 Notice of Decision that includes the issued Plan of Operations Approval, Memorandum of Decision, and associated attachments. https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/Notices/View.aspx?id=218177 Providing links to these background documents does not reopen the underlying plan of operations, associated decision documents, or issued Plan of Operations Approval for review and does not expand the scope of this notice to other Palmer Project activities or lands. The requested extension of the expiration date is the sole action under consideration. DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS Friday November 6 at 5:00 p.m. AST The public is invited to submit written comments on the requested extension before DNR makes a decision. To ensure consideration, written comments must be received by DMLW on or before the deadline stated above. Written comments, questions concerning the extension request, or requests to view the relevant documents should be directed to: Dave Charron, Geologist 5 Alaska Department of Natural Resources Division of Mining, Land and Water Fairbanks Mine Permitting Office 3700 Airport Way Fairbanks, Alaska 99709 Telephone: (907)451-2736 Email: dnr.apma.comments@alaska.gov SUBSEQUENT DECISION After reviewing the extension request and relevant information received during the public comment period, DNR will issue a decision limited to whether to grant the requested extension of the expiration date of the existing Plan of Operations Approval for activities on the 16 state mining claims. DNR-DMLW complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, or special modifications to comment should contact Alaska Relay at 711 or 800-770-8973 for TTY services. The DMLW reserves the right to waive technical defects in this notice.

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.