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Will Alaska say yes or no to Tulsequah Chief?

webmaster : Dec 18.2008

Alaska agencies, fishing groups, conservation groups, the general public, First Nations and other interested parties are by and large, not impressed with Redcorp Ventures’ latest plan to access the Tulsequah Chief mine via hoverbarge on the Taku River.  The state of Alaska has just pulled the plug on the 30 day public comment period clock since Redcorp has failed to adequately explain how it intends to safely transport ore and fuel on one of the world’s premier salmon rivers. 

Once Redcorp Ventures submits what agencies are seeking, the public comment clock will restart.

Check Alaska Department of Natural Resources’ website for the whole story.

Will Tulsequah Chief be BC’s next operating mine?  Many in BC government would like to send signals to investors that the province is a good place to invest in mining.  Many in the BC public service would like to see the Tulsequah chief file disappear, as it’s been on the table since the 1990′s.  Interestingly, decision-makers in the US will be pivotal with what comes next.  In short, Redcorp requires permits to operate the hoverbarge on the US side of the Taku River.  They propose to transport zinc, copper, gold, lead and silver concentrates 40 miles down-river from the mine to the Pacific coast.  Daily trips would bring diesel and supplies back each time.  The hoverbarge and acompanying tow/push vehicles would have to contend with weather and river challenges almost daily.  Irregular currents, substantial winds and the collision of warm, moist coastal air masses with cold and dry continnental air masses will be difficult to manage.  Many wonder aloud if the hoverbarge will be able to hover and carry what it is supposed to.  Will the vehicles intended to tow and push be able to tow and push? There are questions about whether the vehicles will be powerful and/or maneuverable enough for Taku River usage. 

Redcorp has failed to sell its plan to the people of Alaska – even in brute economic terms.  It puts existing relatively lucrative fisheries in jeopardy, and so Redcorp never had a persuasive ‘jobs for Alaskans’ argument.  Redcorp has made unsubstantiated claims that it can provide Southeast Alaskans with jobs.  Revenues from existing Alaskan fisheries dwarf dollars that might come from a Canadian mine. 

Redcorp has not sold its product to attentive Juneau residents.  As such, the result is yet another roadblock in the ongoing Tulsequah Chief saga.