Manh Choh Project

The long-awaited road analysis examining the route used by trucks carrying gold ore from Tetlin to Fairbanks has been released by Kinney Engineering, the research firm contracted by the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The study reports on the 247 miles of the Alaska, Richardson and Steese Highways between the mine and the Kinross gold mill.

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly last week authorized the state to proceed with replacing the bridges on the Richardson Highway that cross over the Chena Spillway. But they added a recommendation that the new design include a better plan for pedestrians and bicyclists.

The citizen committee set up to analyze the highway corridor between the Mahn Choh gold mine in Tetlin and the Fort Knox mill talked about highway bridges again Thursday, Oct. 12.

Big rig attracts demonstration at safety fair

School bus stops on the ore-hauling route from the Manh Choh gold mine in Tetlin to the Fort Knox mill north of Fairbanks were discussed yesterday by the Technical Advisory Committee.

Kinney Engineering, the contractor hired by Alaska DOT, estimates that running ore trucks on the Alaska, Richardson and Steese Highways will cause millions of dollars in pavement damage annually.

A reconsidered resolution about a gold ore trucking plan was toned-down considerably last week by the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly. The Assembly passed a resolution March 9 to oppose the plan to bring ore on heavy trucks 240 miles up the Richardson Highway from the Manh Choh mine in Tetlin. But one member who voted for it then, moved to look at it again.

The US mining company Contango Ore is a 30% partner in the Mahn Choh mine in Tetlin. Contango also has gold prospects in Southcentral Alaska. The company president gave a report about the profitability of the project to business leaders Tuesday in Fairbanks.

Kinross/Fort Knox is a KUAC sponsor.Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (DOT&PF) announced it will perform an independent Corridor Analysis of the 240 mile route heavy ore trucks will take from the Mahn Choh gold mine near Tetlin to the Fort Knox milling facility north of Fairbanks.

03-28-22 8:30 AM newscast