As the Environmental Superintendent at the Red Dog Mine, I want to share my view of the mine’s commitment to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement.
During my 20 years working at the mine, I have seen Red Dog demonstrate that a mine can respond to challenges as they arise and coexist with the land, clean water and its neighbors.
When the anti-Pebble campaign attacks Red Dog and makes numerous false allegations, it is misleading Alaskans.
For example, on the issue of water quality, which is important to both Alaskans and Red Dog Mine, the facts show the mine is protecting the stream and has improved the downstream water quality.
Before the first exploration hole was drilled in 1980, and before production began in 1989, environmental baseline studies were completed that were more than adequate to characterize natural conditions. Contrary to the anti-mining lobby’s assertions, these studies document that the water quality in Red Dog Creek was impaired due to the natural weathering of mineralized rock in its valley:
“As early as 1978, Ward and Olson (1980) conducted a baseline aquatic investigation of fishes and water quality in the Kivalina and Wulik River drainages.” (Scannell, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, 2005)
Independent governmental studies further support the improvement of downstream water quality compared to the pre-mining conditions.
“Post-mining concentrations of cadmium, lead, and zinc in the water of the Mainstem of Red Dog Creek are lower than pre-mining conditions.” (EPA Red Dog Environmental Assessment, January 2006.)
“Ten years of aquatic surveys have demonstrated that aquatic productivity in the main [creek] stem has increased from pre-mining conditions due to effective water management practices and treatment.” (March 2006 Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation).
The fact is, Red Dog does coexist with a healthy stream.
To be sure, operating in a remote, frozen, environmentally-sensitive and pristine ecosystem poses challenges. In the first year of operation, water flow out of the mine area was more than anticipated. In response, we built a diversion structure, which isolates the creek from mining activity. The project was completed the next year under a Compliance Order by Consent with the State.
This solution was effective and has worked to protect the downstream water quality for the last 15 years. In addition, on our own initiative, we extended the structure further upstream to mitigate natural impacts from an area untouched by mining.
Red Dog Mine operates under some of the world’s most stringent regulations and actively and regularly complies with 110 permits, regulations, agreements and environmental plans. We work with more than 23 different state and federal agencies.
Together, we ensure the mine operation is safe and environmentally, economically and socially sustainable. The 475 employees at the Red Dog Mine are proud of our accomplishments under some of the most difficult and challenging circumstances.
We’ve met the challenges and learned from experience. Most importantly, we are committed to continuous improvement of our environmental performance by using the latest in environmental best practices, technology and equipment.
We invite Alaskans to get to know the facts about Red Dog and the benefits it provides to the NANA Region and the State of Alaska by visiting www.reddogalaska.com.
Editor's note: Jim Kulas is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with 34 years of experience in the mining industry. He joined Red Dog as Chief Geologist in 1988. In 1996 he was given the responsibility for environmental matters for the Red Dog Mine.
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