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Notice of Application for State Air Quality Permit AQ0053MSS06 for Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc., Fort Knox Mine

What is this notice about?

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) plans to approve an air quality permit for Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc.'s Fort Knox Mine near Fairbanks. The permit would set an Owner Requested Limit on nitrogen oxides emissions so the mine can avoid needing a different type of minor permit. Anyone can send written comments until 11:59 p.m. Alaska time on November 22, 2026.

Why was this notice issued?

Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc. applied for an air quality minor permit under 18 AAC 50.508(5). Based on its review of the application, ADEC drafted a preliminary permit decision for this project under AS 46.14 and 18 AAC 50.

What action is being taken?

ADEC has made a preliminary decision to approve Air Quality Control Minor Permit AQ0053MSS06 for the Fort Knox Mine. The permit sets an Owner Requested Limit (ORL) so the mine can avoid a minor permit under 18 AAC 50.502(c)(3) for nitrogen oxides. The change in emissions will not exceed 9.21 tons of nitrogen oxides, 0.59 tons of carbon monoxide, 0.71 tons of particulate matter, 0.15 tons of sulfur dioxide, 1.77 tons of volatile organic compounds, 16,449 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and 0.16 tons of hazardous air pollutants (HAP), with the highest single HAP (benzene) estimated at 0.08 tons. Total annual potential emissions of regulated air pollutants, other than greenhouse gases, are 170.51 tons. ADEC will consider all comments and then issue a final decision to issue or deny the permit after the comment period closes.

Who is involved: Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc., P.O. Box 73726, Anchorage, AK 99707 (applicant); Fort Knox Mine, #1 Fort Knox Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712

How can the public respond?

Respond by Sun, Nov 22, 2026 14 days from today.

“Comments must be received by close of public comments period at 11:59 p.m. Alaska time on November 22, 2026.”

Ways to respond

What to include

Any interested person may submit written statements relevant to the preliminary decision on permit AQ0053MSS06. Except for comments classified under AS 46.14.520, all comments can be viewed at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices after the comment period. The application, preliminary permit, and technical analysis report (TAR) are available at ADEC Air Permits Program offices at 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303, Juneau, Alaska 99801 and 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501, and online at http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices/. People with disabilities who need accommodations should contact ADA Coordinator Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884; Alaska Relay Service/TTY/TDD 1-800-770-8973; or dial 711 by the 15th day of the comment period.

Contact

Adam Leibert
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation, Air Permits Program
adam.leibert@alaska.gov
555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501

Will there be public meetings?

The notice does not announce any public meeting or hearing.

Key dates

  • Oct 23, 2026: Notice published; 30-day public comment period begins
  • Nov 22, 2026: Public comments due by 11:59 p.m. Alaska time

Original notice text

The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) has made a preliminary decision to approve Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc.’s application for Air Quality Control Minor Permit AQ0053MSS06 for the Fort Knox Mine. Applicant: Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc. P.O. Box 73726, Anchorage, AK 99707 Location: #1 Fort Knox Road, Fairbanks, AK 99712 Activity: Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc. applied for a minor permit under 18 AAC 50.508(5) for an Owner Requested Limit (ORL) to avoid a minor permit under 18 AAC 50.502(c)(3) for nitrogen oxides. Emissions: Change in emissions for stationary source will not exceed: 9.21 tons of Nitrogen Oxides, 0.59 tons of Carbon Monoxide, 0.71 tons of Particulate Matter, 0.15 tons of Sulfur Dioxide, 1.77 tons of Volatile Organic Compounds, 16,449 tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent emissions, and 0.16 tons of Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAP), with highest individual HAP (Benzene) estimated at 0.08 tons. The total annual potential emissions of regulated air pollutants, other than greenhouse gases, are 170.51 tons. ADEC Preliminary Review: Based on review of the application, ADEC drafted a preliminary permit decision for this project under AS 46.14 and 18 AAC 50. Available Information: Copies of the permit application(s), ADEC’s preliminary minor permit and technical analysis report (TAR) are available at the following offices: ADEC Air Permits Program, 410 Willoughby Avenue, Suite 303, Juneau, Alaska 99801 ADEC Air Permits Program, 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501 These documents are also available at ADEC’s website at: http://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices/ Opportunity for Public Participation: Any interested person may present written statements relevant to the preliminary decision within 30 days after the first publication date. ADEC will consider all comments received and make any changes ADEC finds beneficial or necessary to assure compliance with 18 AAC 50 or state law. ADEC will issue a final decision to issue or deny the permit after the close of the public comment period. ADEC complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact ADA Coordinator Kristin Mabry, kristin.mabry@alaska.gov, 1-907-334-0884; Alaska Relay Service/TTY/TDD 1-800-770-8973; or dial 711 by the 15th day of this public comment period to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided. Comments relevant to the preliminary minor permit may be submitted electronically via ADEC’s public notice site at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/FormalComments, or to Adam Leibert by mail to 555 Cordova Street, Anchorage, AK 99501, or by email to adam.leibert@alaska.gov and dec.air.comment@alaska.gov. Comments must be received by close of public comments period at 11:59 p.m. Alaska time on November 22, 2026. Except for comments classified under AS 46.14.520, all public comments submitted during the public comment period can be viewed at https://dec.alaska.gov/Applications/Air/airtoolsweb/AirPermitsApprovalsAndPublicNotices after the public comment period.

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.