Project Links
Little Eldorado and Bonanza Creek (updated) Claim Groups Mining Plan of Operations, Gold Hill EA (Chisana, LLC.)
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve » Little Eldorado and Bonanza Creek (updated) Claim Groups Mining Plan of Operations, Gold Hill EA (Chisana, LLC.) » Document List
The National Park Service (NPS) is considering a mining plan of operations (MPO) which has been submitted by Chisana Mining LLC for the purpose of conducting a suction dredge placer gold mining operation on the Little Eldorado group of unpatented mining claims located in the Gold Hill area within Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve (WRST). Chisana Mining LLC has submitted a mining plan of operations, as required by Title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 9.9, detailing their proposed means and methods. Access to the site is already authorized via an existing Right-of-Way Certificate of Access (RWCA) to an adjacent claim block (Bonanza 1 - 6). The mineral rights to the Little Eldorado Group claims are owned by Chisana Mining LLC.
The MPO will be reviewed by NPS to ensure consistency with 36 CFR 9.9. Once this is done, a notice will go in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the MPO for public review. NPS will then prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) that will analyze and examine the proposed mining operations and reasonable alternatives to ensure that it satisfies the requirements of 36 CFR 9.10, and would not injure or adversely affect federally owned land. The EA will also serve to cover an update to the Mining Plan of Operations for the Bonanza 1 - 6 claims, last authorized in 1995.
Support structures are already present on the Little Eldorado Group claims and have been utilized by Chisana Mining LLC for their operations on the Bonanza 1 - 6 claims. NPS anticipates a similar operation on the Little Eldorado Group claims, e.g. suction dredge and high-banker operations on Little Eldorado Creek, which bisects the claims. All portions of the Little Eldorado Creek within the claims have been previously disturbed by past mining operations, starting in 1913, with the discovery of gold on Bonanza Creek.
Wrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, Alaska 99573
phone: 907-822-7276
e-mail: bruce_rogers@nps.gov
The MPO will be reviewed by NPS to ensure consistency with 36 CFR 9.9. Once this is done, a notice will go in the Federal Register announcing the availability of the MPO for public review. NPS will then prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) that will analyze and examine the proposed mining operations and reasonable alternatives to ensure that it satisfies the requirements of 36 CFR 9.10, and would not injure or adversely affect federally owned land. The EA will also serve to cover an update to the Mining Plan of Operations for the Bonanza 1 - 6 claims, last authorized in 1995.
Support structures are already present on the Little Eldorado Group claims and have been utilized by Chisana Mining LLC for their operations on the Bonanza 1 - 6 claims. NPS anticipates a similar operation on the Little Eldorado Group claims, e.g. suction dredge and high-banker operations on Little Eldorado Creek, which bisects the claims. All portions of the Little Eldorado Creek within the claims have been previously disturbed by past mining operations, starting in 1913, with the discovery of gold on Bonanza Creek.
Contact Information
Bruce RogersWrangell St. Elias National Park and Preserve
P.O. Box 439, Copper Center, Alaska 99573
phone: 907-822-7276
e-mail: bruce_rogers@nps.gov