Alaska Grants Controversial Access Road for Grand Portage’s New Amalga Mine Amid Strong Public Opposition

Alaska’s Division of Mining, Land and Water approved the first phase of a private easement that creates a 1.3-mile, 15-foot gravel road and two helicopter pads on state land near Glacier Highway, intended to serve Grand Portage Resources Ltd.’s unapproved New Amalga gold project. Although 90% of the 196 public comments opposed the road, citing recreation disruption, noise, visual impacts and foreign ownership, the state concluded the limited, non-exclusive footprint would not irreversibly damage the wild-scenic area and would keep public access open.

The approval includes a phased construction plan, fees, and an annual use charge, with projected economic benefits of 277 jobs and a pre-tax net present value close to $1 billion over a seven-year production period. Local contractors and businesses are expected to be hired, and the road is said to cut helicopter shuttle distances by about 60 percent. The easement runs for 25 years, with provisions for environmental buffers, security measures and a later permit needed for mining operations.