Mining Company Pulls Out of Exploration In the Headwaters of the Tubutulik River
By Hal Shepherd
Citing "seasonal, logistical, and capital considerations," Panther Minerals Inc. (PM) recently announced that it is abandoning an exploration program at Boulder Creek located at the headwaters of the Tubutulik River Watershed (Watershed) about 160 km east of Nome, a critical subsistence area for the Native Village of Elim and other local communities.
In the summer of 2024, hoping to continue exploration previously conducted by the Houston Oil & Minerals and Triex mining companies over 15 years ago, Panther Minerals submitted exploration permit applications to the Bureau of Land Management and the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, to drill approximately 30-50 holes from 11 drill pads, initiate construction of a 15 to 20 person camp and reconstruction of an ATV trail, at Boulder Creek and possibly the nearby Fireweed area and had begun exploration this summer.[1] After conducting a Government-to-Government Consultation with the Native Village of Elim, the BLM denied the permit affecting federal lands, but ADNR later granted the permit as it pertains to state lands,[2] a decision that was immediately appealed by the Village and the Norton Bay Watershed Council.
Uranium mining is highly toxic and can contaminate rivers and streams, as well as reduce instream flows by diverting water used in the exploration and mining process. The Native Village of Elim and NBWC are concerned that reestablishing uranium mining activity in the Watershed could exacerbate declines in salmon spawning and rearing areas, threaten wildlife populations, and impact human health.
According to a news release from Panther, the company decided not to move forward with the required annual option payment, resulting in the transfer back to Tubutulik Mining Company LLC. During the second week of July, the mining company removed its exploration drills and dismantled the camp at the proposed mine site. The mining claims, however, remain active, and Panther is seeking other companies to develop the site. In an interview with the Northern Journal, Dave Hedderly-Smith, a Washington State-based geologist and prospector, said that "he still would like to see the prospect developed and is already fielding interest from other companies."
Last summer, Hederly-Smith fanned the flames of this opposition when he stated that he believes the Boulder Creek property "could be the largest uranium deposit, or, you know, cluster of deposits on American soil, and a bunch of these could be land on the Elim native reserve. Elim could become the 'Uranium Capital of America.' Such statements do not sit well with the Elim community, which for decades has been vehemently opposed to efforts to explore for uranium mining in the Watershed. Rather than money that would be generated by mining, Emily Murray, Vice President of the Norton Bay Watershed Council and resident of Elim, says the community is “defined by economists as a 'subsistence economy with a cash overlay.’” She also said that Panther planned “to expand their exploration activities even beyond those of the original ones. Turning our river into a uranium mining district will completely destroy our way of life."
The Journal also reports that, according to DNR, if there is not a significant change to the activity identified in "Panther's state permit for mineral exploration [it] could be amended to include a new operator” without requiring submission of a new permit application. According to DNR, even such a transfer of the original exploration permit would require public notice and comment.
In the meantime, Elim has vowed to continue resistance to their threatened Watershed. According to Murray, "We're going to celebrate for now but be ready to fight should a new company move in."
[1] APMA Number 9828 p. 7 (June 2024).
[2] APMA F20249828, Boulder Creek-Fireweed Uranium Tubutulik River, Boulder Creek & Grante Creek Koyuk Mining District Memorandum of Decision (October 2, 2024).