Nome Mine Project Gets Green Light: Corps Reverses Decision, Grants Dredge Permit Amid Dredging News
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Approves Contentious Mining Venture Despite Local Opposition
In a significant turn of events, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a dredge permit for a contentious mining project in the Nome area, despite facing strong opposition from local communities.
Announced by the Corps’ Pacific Ocean Division based in Hawaii, the decision grants a permit to IPOP LLC for gold extraction through dredging activities at the Bonanza Channel site within Safety Sound, located approximately 25 miles east of Nome.
This approved plan includes dredging operations, reclamation efforts, and disposal of materials within water bodies, covering a reduced area compared to the previously rejected proposal.
Mining Activities: Reduction in Impact through Revised Plan
The revised project the Brig. Gen. Kirk Gibbs pointed out as consistent with permitted requirements and public interest, and he assured them that the Corps was still committed to protecting aquatic resources while allowing reasonable development.
The IPOP mining plan, which started off as a reality TV program on gold dredging, has been met with strong opposition from Nome and Bering Strait Communities due to concerns about preservation of critical habitat and subsistence activities.
Kawerak, a tribal consortium, pointed out that year-round subsistence activities such as hunting and fishing are very important for Bonanza area.
Consequently, IPOP in conjunction with investors Edward and Elaine Abell filed lawsuits demanding reinstatement insisting that there had been undue delay and collusion between Alaska Native opponents and the Corps targeting in particular Village of Solomon along with its associated corporations.
These litigations demonstrate still persistent controversies about Nome mining project environment protection implications indigenous rights.