State offers 'Mining 101'

The Alaska Department of Natural Resources made an effort to make large mine permitting more transparent to the general public Nov. 13, with the first of three statewide November workshops.

The reason for the workshops, ordered by DNR Commissioner Tom Irwin, was to provide information on how state and federal agencies evaluate mine projects in Alaska before permitting them to proceed.

"We are holding these workshops due to the heightened interest in large mining activity in Alaska," said Tom Crafford, large mine project manager for the state Department of Natural Resources.

"OK, let's not beat around the bush; this is really all about Pebble mine," he added.

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