Peebles mine

[Grumpyoldman]

How do the boys from Alaska feel about the Peebles mine proposal?

[Dirtofak]

I am reserving judgement until all the studies are done. If I were to place a bet, it is not feasable without recklessly endangering the salmon runs on the scale that it has been shown. I will not support it and will fight against it if the studies show that the potential for a mishap is remotely possible. A couple notes. I personally know of several mines in the area that are producing gold in quantities worth seeking that are off the salmon areas. Some have been worked heavily for many years without danaging the fishery. One surgeon works his claim all summer and has put 4 boys through college and made more money than being a surgeon per year. They go after placer gold, not the hard rock stuff that has to be chemically removed from the rocks. There is a lot of copper/gold/platinum/etc out there.

I doubt that they can talk me into supporting it although Alaska needs the jobs, America needs the jobs. We will see.

For your browsing pleasure:

http://clark-wiltz.com/

[Grumpyoldman]

As I understand it, they are proposing a 2+ mile above-ground strip mine and also extensive drilling underground.
The strip mine will be similar to the Brigham (?) mine in Utah.
The main problem is the PERPETUAL containment of the trailing and other runoff.  
It's also the heartland of five (5) types of salmon.

I'm not for or against the project.

Our forefathers would have raped that sow for what it was worth.
What did we learn?

[Dirtofak]

Our forefathers didn't have the technology to harvest the resource. Look at Montana etc for proof. I would believe that the area was hard hit during the gold rush and only a few places north of the area were good enough to actually claim. There are still some small claims and "recreational" mining in the area. A guy with a highbanker or dredge could do pretty well if he got into the gravey without upsetting the environment.