Hardrock exploration at Donlin Creek, AK

 

 

 

 

Latest Developments

 
  The March 23, 2005 Fairbanks Daily News Miner carried a story whose title, "Big Mineral Deposit Confirmed" created despair in some readers who care about the Tangle Lakes and Canwell areas. The story also created confusion because it switched back and forth between reference to the Tangle Lakes and Canwell Glacier properties. Copper Country Alliance has checked other references, their findings are summarized below indicating it is too early to give up on these special places. Rather, it is prime time to mobilize opposition.

Tangle Lakes
 In the summer of 2004, Anglo American attempted to do aerial geophysical exploration of the Tangle Lakes region. However, according to their geologists a test flight indicated that the bedrock was not suitable for that type of survey. Instead, helicopter-supported Anglo American crews conducted ground geophysical, sample geochemical, and field geology work.

Anglo American returned to the Tangle Lakes claims in mid-March 2005 to continue its exploratory work. They have applied with the Alaskan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a permit to conduct exploratory core drilling between April 15 and June 30, 2005. This permit allows for a total of 19 core samples to be drilled throughout the claim areas, some of them less than two miles from the Delta Wild and Scenic River.

Serious exploratory work is underway right now in the Tangle Lakes region.
Stillwater platinum mine
© Sarah Zululock

Canwell Glacier/ Rainbow Mountain

Nevada Star Resources 2004 core drilling program involved drilling six holes. It found low-grade, disseminated nickel, copper,platinum-group metals and gold. Nevada Star gave three possibilites:
  • One, this is part of a large ore body which, in spite of its low grade, is big enough to warrant mining.
  • Two, it is a low-grade "halo" round a "massive" deposit (In this context "massive" means high-grade rather than size).
  • Three, there is both a massive deposit and a halo which is large and mineable.

There is still another possibility , one that Nevada Star doesn't mention. That the deposit is low-grade and not large enough to warrant mining. Any of these scenerios are possible.However, junior mining companies like Nevada Star have a tendency to play up their findings in hopes of attracting better-funded partners. Therefore, Alaskans should not give up hope.

Those who care about the area should be concerned. Low-grade deposits are typically mined using open-pit (strip mining) methods. Such a mine would destroy the Canwell area as we know it. In the meantime, mineral exploration has begun. Permits are on file with the Alaskan Department of Natural Resources to continue the exploratory program through 2005.

Relationship between Mineralization at Canwell and Tangle Lakes Claims

Nevada Star's pronouncements about the Tangle Lakes area being the source of a huge mineralized belt, and the Canwell area being the "plumbing" are purely speculative. An economic ore body has not been located in either area. Anglo American and Nevada Star are still in the exploratory stages on their respective properties.

 

        

Banner photo credits: Arctic Warbler © Bob Armstrong, Maclaren Glacier © Myron Wright