Prospector tried to sell mining claims near Haines. Alaska Mental Health Trust does not want them.

Prospector, which has discovered a controversial mineral deposit outside of HAINES for many years, has proposed to sell federal mining claims to state -owned trusts.

The agency, which is an Alaska mental health trust authorities, owns many lands, focusing on deposits and mineral exploration efforts known as Palmer Project. But in February, the trust decided not to purchase Prospector and former HAINES residents Merrill Palmer.

Palmer triggered the claim after discovering zinc and copper minerals in the north mountains of Haines near Klukwan Village in the 1960s. The claims have become the center of copper, zinc, gold, silver and barite exploration projects. I have been sharing the local community for a long time..

Developing mines can create high -wage jobs and inject many dollars in investor dollars into the local economy. However, this site is located on the tributaries in the Chilkat basin, which supports all five Pacific salmon. Critics are worried that the local environment, the home of one of the world’s largest bald eagles, can be harmed.

It is still unclear why Palmer wants to sell his claims and what the decision of trust in the project means. But Jessica Plachta, a manager of Lynn Canal Conservation, an environmental non -profit organization based on Heinz, who opposes potential mine, says numerous factors are dangerous.

“The Palmer project is in a remote and dangerous position. I can’t access deep eyes for half a year, ”said Plachta. “Not to mention that the deposit itself is worth mining. Of course, it is the conclusion of the mining company.”

“The greatest interest of the trust”

The Alaska Mental Health Trust is designed to support programming and services for Alaska people who experience mental illness, traumatic brain damage, intellectual and developmental disorders. State Corporation uses a variety of resources, including about millions of acres of land to make money.

The organization refused to request an interview or quoted Palmer’s confidentiality, and refused to tell how much money Palmer wanted for the claim.

But spokesman Allison Biastock emphasized that the organization’s resources should be used in the “best benefit of trusts and beneficiaries.” She said that when the trust made a decision, she considered the billing cost and potential profits.

The management committee informed Palmer the decision after a closed door session at the last regular board meeting, Biastock said. The junior mining company, which owns a nearby search project, is also notified of the notification.

Palmer could not contact for opinions. The US Pacific did not respond to requests. Constantine Mining LLC, a US Pacific subsidiary, which operates local projects, refused to comment.

Questions about coming next

The trust considered the purchase of Palmer’s claims since 2020.

This claim means that Palmer can get royalties from minerals when the mine opens. But he suggested that he would give up the claim for the trust of the trust five years ago. The main group already owns most of the surrounding land and leases for exploration.

Palmer said, when he provided a claim to the trust, JUSDI DOUCET, who worked as Deputy Director of Trust ‘S Land Office, would be a danger of purchasing. But Doucet said that the minerals for Palmer’s claim can be paid if they are connected to Trust Land’s minerals.

Doucet told KHNS at the time, “If we do nothing, if we do not purchase the claim, the trust can be value for minerals under the trust ground.

The trust has been evaluating the proposal since then. The decision I decided not to move in that direction news Dowa Metals and Mining, a multinational metal company that supported the project for several years in November, gave up 70% of the project. As a result, I made the only owner of American Pacific Mining, the parent company of Constantine.

The US Pacific Executive said the deal was triggered by another vision for this project. November video announcement. Warwick Smith, the CEO of the company, has claimed a “fantastic movement” by the US Pacific shareholders who put the company in a “very solid foundation”.

Warwick said, “Yesterday, I went to bed if I was a Pacific shareholder, and the company had about $ 2.5 million in cash and owned about 29%of the Palmer project. “If you wake up this morning, you have $ 16 million in cash and own 100%of the 14 million ton VMS Palmer project.”

Smith also pointed out that Republican control of the US Senate, House of Representatives and the White House will contribute to what he said.

President Donald Trump signed Executive order In January, he promised to reveal what he called Alas Scar. Special resource potentialIncludes in relation to minerals.

Warwick said, “Especially, the feeling of Alaska will give an example.

Palmer Project Critics says that Dowa’s outlets and trust determination raises the value of the project and the next thing to come.