Aqqaluk

1. A sustainable future — the Aqqaluk Deposit

Mining within the Main Deposit of Red Dog Operations' ore body will end between 2010 and 2012. But plans are underway to extend the mine’s life and fulfill the potential of one of the world’s largest zinc deposits and the benefits it can deliver to Alaskans and Alaska’s Native people.

• Teck Alaska Incorporated and NANA Regional Corporation are proposing to continue mining operations through 2031 by extending mining activity into the Aqqaluk Deposit, located adjacent to the Main Deposit.
• The Aqqaluk Deposit contains 51.6 million tons of reserves, containing 16.7 percent zinc and 4.4 percent lead, and represents an estimated 20 years of additional mining for the region and NANA.
• Mining of the Aqqaluk Deposit needs to begin in 2010 to keep the mine operating. Under our proposal the Aqqaluk Deposit would be mined and the ore processed using the same methods that are employed at the Main Deposit.

2. Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement

A Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) is being completed evaluate the potential environmental effects associated with development of the Aqqaluk Deposit.

Agencies involved in the SEIS process include: the Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; the National Park Service; the State of Alaska; the Northwest Arctic Borough; and, as represented by the Maniilaq Association, nine tribal governments (Kobuk, Buckland, Kiana, Kivalina, Kotzebue, Noatak, Noorvik, Selawik, and Shungnak)

The public comment period on the draft SEIS closed in February and the final document is expected in the third quarter 2009. Further information on the SEIS process and public SEIS documents are available online at http://www.reddogseis.com.

3. Reclamation Plan Approval

The State of Alaska has completed a review of the proposed closure and reclamation plan for the Red Dog Mine, including the Aqqaluk deposit. The final SEIS will also assess this closure and reclamation plan with respect to environmental protection, including subsistence resources and water quality.

On June 11, 2009, the State of Alaska announced the beginning of a 60 day public comment period on the draft Reclamation Plan Approval and associated permits. Further information is available online at http://www.dnr.alaska.gov/mlw/mining/largemine/reddog/publicnotice.