Fairbanks, Alaska – A groundbreaking analysis released today is the first to compare predicted versus actual spills of hazardous materials at the five largest mining operations in Alaska, and expose the enormous discrepancy between the two.
The analysis found more than 8,150 total spills associated with these five mines between 1995-2020, or approximately 300 spills each year. These mining operation spills released more than 2.3 million gallons and 1.9 million pounds of hazardous materials during that 26-year span. The analysis, conducted by Dr. Susan Lubetkin on behalf of a diverse coalition of tribal and conservation organizations, finds that mining proponents severely underestimated spill risk when they sought federal/state permits. Dr. Lubetkin examined not only the disturbing evidence of spills but also the inaccurate forecasting for industrial hardrock mining across the state.
