EPA v. COEUR ALASKA INC., KENSINGTON MINE

Case summary

On December 13, 2010, Region 10 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order against Coeur Alaska, Inc. (Facility) that resolves unpermitted discharges at the Kensington Gold Project near Juneau, Alaska. Between 2006 and 2010, Respondent had unpermitted discharges of acid rock drainage and sediment into Lower Slate Lake. The discharges were high in metals and entered East Fork Slate Creek. Respondent began collecting the ARD and treating it before land applying it nearby. Respondent has agreed to pay a penalty of $170,000.

Defendants (1)

• Coeur Alaska IncNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (4)

• KENSINGTON GOLD MINE- APDES

  45 MILES NW OF JUNEAU, JUNEAU, AK, 99801

  Registry ID: 110055091699

• COEUR ALASKA INC

  40 MILES NORTH OF JUNEAU, TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST, JUNEAU, AK, 99801

  Registry ID: 110055091699

• KENSINGTON GOLD MINE- APDES

  45 MILES NW OF JUNEAU, JUNEAU, AK, 99801

  Registry ID: 110055091699

• COEUR ALASKA INC

  40 MILES NORTH OF JUNEAU, TONGASS NATIONAL FOREST, JUNEAU, AK, 99801

  Registry ID: 110055091699

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• COEUR ALASKA INC., KENSINGTON MINE - CONSENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDERentered 2010-12-13

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $170,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2010-10-19Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2010-12-13Final Order Issued
• 2010-12-13Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2010-12-27Enforcement Action Closed
• 2010-12-27NPDES Closed