Contact:
Matt Ganley
BSNC Vice President of Media & External Affairs
Mganley@beringstraits.com
(907) 632-7197
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources awarded Alaska Gold Company (AGC), a subsidiary of Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC), the 2016 Reclamation Award at the Alaska Miners Association Annual Convention luncheon for reclamation activities at the Rock Creek Mine on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
“On behalf of BSNC and our Board of Directors, I thank the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources for recognizing AGC’s extraordinary work to reclaim the Rock Creek Mine,” said Gail Schubert, BSNC President & CEO. “BSNC strives to empower our people as leaders in the development and protection of the Arctic. I am proud that our efforts to restore natural habitat have been recognized as an example of environmental stewardship.”
“AGC’s dedication of commitment to reclaiming the Rock Creek Mine is made evident through their exceptional efforts to re-contour, armor and seed disturbed areas to blend with the surrounding natural landscape and promote wildlife habitat,” said Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Andy Mack. “The State of Alaska thanks Alaska Gold Company and NSNC for their excellence in responsible stewardship and for exceeding reclamation standards as required by the State of Alaska. We congratulate Alaska Gold Company as most deserving recipients of this award.”
The Rock Creek Mine was included in the 2012 purchase of AGC by BSNC. After analyzing the potential for restarting the mine, AGC and BSNC chose to proceed with reclamation of the mine in 2014 when it was determined that it could not be reopened as a profitable venture. While the Rock Creek project was not successful as a producing mine, the reclamation made use of local labor and businesses which provided economic benefit to the Bering Strait region and BSNC’s shareholders. Tumet Industries LLC, a construction firm owned by Kawerak, Inc. was contracted to fulfill the reclamation plan and worked with BSNC subsidiary staff. During the 5 months of work at the site more than 30 shareholders or shareholder descendants/family members worked for Tumet.