4.2.1.3.4 Locatable Minerals
The following information is excerpted from the Eastern Interior RMP Reasonable Foreseeable Development Scenario for Locatable Minerals and Leasable Hardrock Mineral Resources in the White Mountains Subunit (BLM 2015). This Reasonable Foreseeable Development (RFD) Report is a mechanism to analyze the effects that discretionary planning decisions have on mineral development based upon five alternatives for each of the four planning subunits. The RFD is available online at www.blm.gov/ak/eirmp.
RMP alternatives recommend that mineral withdrawals be lifted (‘opened’) to varying extents. Generally, to analyze the assumed increase of mining activities on opened lands, we compare the level of mining activities of neighboring lands of similar character that are currently open to mining activities. Mining activities are separated into four categories for analysis: Suction Dredging, Mechanical Placer Mines, Hardrock Exploration Projects, and Large-Scale Lode Mines. These categories were devised by looking at the number, size, and type of operations in the region as a whole, with data collected through the review of multiple mine plans, reclamation bond inventories, and lists of permits issued by various agencies. From this review, hypothetical mining models are created that reflect locally common mining methods and equipment.
The primary attributes that dictate the size, cost, efficiency, and impacts of the four modeled mining activities are listed as assumptions in their respective sections. Many of the assumptions are derived from a Reasonable Foreseeable Development – Mine Cost and Impact Model report (2009) authored by Scott Stebbins, Mining Engineer with Aventurine Engineering, Inc. Mr. Stebbins has extensive experience developing mining cost estimations and is considered an expert in the field.
The areas recommended to be “Opened” to mineral entry by lifting withdrawals, in Alternative E, is similar to the areas proposed in Alternative B with respect to the amount of acres with High or Medium locatable mineral potential. The amount of foreseeable mining-related developments in Alternative E and Alternative B are estimated to be equal.
Mining Claims, Mining Plans of Operation, and Notices
According to BLM records, at one time there were as many as 16,000 active federal mining claims in the planning area, starting when the BLM took over the administration of all federal mining claims in 1979. Federal mining claims in areas that are now state lands have been relocated or converted to state claims, and hundreds of claims once located in the White Mountains National Recreation Area and the Steese National Conservation Area were abandoned and/or closed. There are currently no active federal claims in the White Mountain National Recreation Area and only 103 remaining placer claims in the National Conservation Area. There are currently about 15,200 state mining claims as well as a few score of mining leases and prospecting sites on State managed lands in the planning area.
Mining Claims and Mining Plans of Operations or Notices in the Planning Area
Planning Subunit Active Federal Mining Claims (July 2014) Closed Federal Mining Claims (July 2014) Active State Mining Claims (Dec 2013) Current Federal Plans or Notices (July 2014)110 Closed Federal Plans or Notices (July 2014)111
Fortymile 352 8,341 12,449 35 106
Steese 218 5,171 1,703 10 102
Upper Black River 0 42 0 0 0
White Mountains112 172 2,695 959 5 20
Total 742 16,249 15,111 50 229
Suction Dredge Operations
Suction dredging generally provides a relatively low-capital mining method for exploiting active streams systems with shallow bedrock. Suction dredging, performed according to the stipulations of state and federal permits, usually causes minor levels of disturbance relative to mechanical placer mining methods. Where salmon spawning takes place, the dredging season is limited to early summer after the salmon fry have migrated out of local streams and before spawning salmon have returned from the ocean.
The number of suction dredging operations expected under each alternative is outlined in the Table 4.2. Assumptions for suction dredge operations include:
•  A crew of two would use a six-inch dredge operated by two, 11 horsepower motors.
•  Operations would continue for approximately 90 days, moving 20 cubic yards of material. Processed materials would flow directly back into the active channel.
•  A single floating vessel would contain the pump used to recover gravel, the air source for the diver, and the sluice used to recover gold.
•  The camp would be 0.2 acres in size and up to 400 gallons of fuel may be stored at the camp.
•  Operators would transport fuel from Fairbanks via ground transportation.
•  Operators would access the site by four-wheel drive trails in most cases.
•  There will be no casual-use level suction dredging. All suction dredgers will need to file an APMA/Plan of Operations.
Anticipated Number of Suction Dredging Operations on Mining Claims
Subunit Alternative (# suction dredging operations)
A B C D E
Fortymile 6 10 14 18 10
Upper Black River 0 0 0 0 0
Steese 1 1 9 12 1
White Mountains 0 0 0 0113 0
Mineral Exploration Activities
Once mining claims are located, mineral exploration companies may establish a local camp and perform helicopter supported field sampling and mapping programs. If the exploration is successful, a drilling or trenching program would be conducted. Drilling would occur on temporary pads which are dismantled and removed after drilling is complete. Surface disturbance for drilling or trenching would be approximately two acres per year, which is completely reclaimed each year. Exploration projects would last for five years, resulting in a total of 10 acres surface disturbance. Disturbance from the camp would be approximately 0.4 acres.
It is assumed that over the life of the plan, one drilling program in the Steese Subunit may proceed to a mine pre-feasibility study where multiple drills are brought in. In this event, 10 acres would be disturbed per year over a five-year project life. The camp associated with a pre-feasibility would disturb up to 2.5 acres and helicopter use would increase to six hours per day.
Anticipated Number of Mineral Exploration Operations
Subunit Alternative (# mineral exploration operations)
A B C D E
Fortymile 1114 3a 4a 5a 3
Steese 1 1 2115 2 1b
Upper Black River 0 0 0 0 0
White Mountains (Livengood) 1 1 1 1 1
Small-Scale Placer Mining
On average, site surface impacts would be approximately 4.4 acres per placer operation. Disturbance from the camp would be approximately 0.4 acres of this. Placer mines may operate as a Notice Level operations under 43 CFR 3809.13, but otherwise would require a Plan of Operations under 43 CFR 3809.10. If the claims occur in a WSR corridor, the Steese National Conservation Area, or an ACEC, they would require a Plan of Operations even for exploration. On average, an estimated one acre would be mined and one acre reclaimed each year. Approximately 4.4 acres would be continually disturbed for each operation. The life of each mine would be 10 to 20 years and a total of 20 to 30 acres would be disturbed during the life of the mine.
Anticipated Number of Small-Scale Placer Mining Operations
Subunit Alternative (# small-scale placer mines)
A B C D E
Fortymile 27 31 33 40 116 31
Upper Black River 0 0 0 0 0
Steese 7 8 15 24 8
White Mountains (Livengood) 3 3 3 3 3
Large-Scale Placer Mining
On average, site surface impacts would be approximately five to 20 acres per placer mine and be subject to regulations found in 43 CFR 3809.10. Four acres would be mined and four acres reclaimed each year, with 16 acres continually disturbed for each project. A total of 60 to 80 acres would be disturbed and reclaimed during the life of the mine (10 to 20 years). Reclamation would occur before the bond is released.
Anticipated Number of Large-Scale Placer Mining Operations
Subunit Alternative (# large-scale placer mines)
A B C D E
Fortymile 2 3 3 3 3
Steese 2 2 4 4 2
Upper Black River 0 0 0 0 0
White Mountains (Livengood) 1 1 1 1 1
Large-Scale Lode Mines
Two lode mines may be developed primarily on state or private land. The Money Knob prospect includes 400–500 acres of federal mining claims. These are described in section 4.2.4 Cumulative Effects.