RED DOG AND THE ENVIRONMENT

• Fugitive dust
• Water quality
• Red Dog Mine and TRI
• Q&A on TRI
• Water quality permit
• USEPA Red Dog Mine SEIS website
• EPA 2006 TRI Report

Fugitive dust is any dust or particulate matter that is emitted to the ambient air as a result of activities at a facility. Fugitive dust at the Red Dog Mine comes from activities at the mine, along the 52-mile DeLong Mountain Transportation System (DMTS) - which connects the mine site with a port located on the Chukchi Sea, about 12 miles south of Kivalina - and at the port itself. Fugitive dust can be ore concentrate, road dust or a combination of both.

Teck Cominco Alaska, the mine operator, has conducted many environmental studies and monitoring programs since mining operations began in 1989. These programs have been designed to evaluate baseline conditions, monitor environmental impacts from the operations and measure the effectiveness of emission control measures. Teck Cominco spent $15 million alone between 2001 and 2004 on dust mitigation and monitoring activities.

These studies consistently show no significant impact to the environment or human users although elevated levels of metals have been found in moss along the DMTS and in ptarmigan. The area along the DMST is closed to subsistence hunting and gathering.

The Alaska Division of Public Health recently issued two reports that found subsistence foods and water in the region around the Red Dog Mine are safe for consumption.

Studies on dust samples from Kivalina and Noatak show lead levels 191 to 387 times below the federal safe level standards and blood studies showed declining lead levels between 1990 and 2004. Red Dog is in compliance with all air regulations and permit requirements.

An Air Operating Permit issued by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation governs the emissions of air contaminants from operations and equipment at the mine and mill. The state requires Red Dog to continually monitor its air emissions and to report its findings on a quarterly basis. The state maintains a website on the mine's air emissions at www.dec.state.ak.us/air/reddog.htm.

Here is what the state says on the its website: "While our review revealed no permit violations, Teck Cominco is proactively performing various scientific and engineering studies to apply best management practices and technologies to further reduce the generation of mineral based airborne particles (dust). The State is providing guidance to Teck-Cominco in their endeavor as described in a Memorandum of Understanding."