Reuters reported that the world's biggest zinc mine is on the verge of growing even bigger with federal and state approval of a major expansion expected imminently.

The Red Dog Mine in northwestern Alaska, operated by Teck Resources Limited on land owned by the region's native Inupiat Eskimo people would be allowed to start processing ore at a new site that would effectively double the 20 year old mine's lifespan under the pending permits.

Since the mine opened in 1989, Teck has processed about 1 million tonnes of zinc and lead annually from ore pulled out of the original Red Dog mine pit. The operation above the Arctic Circle has infused money into a remote region where cash paying jobs are scarce. Now Teck and NANA Corporation, the Inupiat Company that owns the Red Dog property are seeking to expand mining into an adjacent and relatively newly discovered ore body called Aqqaluk. The name honors Mr Robert Aqqaluk Newlin the original president of NANA Corporation.

The company officials said that expansion contingent on several federal and state permits is needed to keep Red Dog from shutting down in 2011.

Mr Jim Kulas Red Dog's manager of environmental and public affairs said that "We need the ore to continue to provide feed to our plant. After 2011, where we're mining now will be totally exhausted."

Mr Kulas said that the major permits needed for the expansion are a wastewater discharge authorization from the US Environmental Protection Agency and wetlands fill authorization from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The EPA, after 2 years of formal review, issued a final report on October 9th 2009 saying it planned to approve the Red Dog permit application.

He said that the wetlands permit from the Corps is also expected soon, as are associated state and local permits. The mine operators hope to start working on the Aqqaluk deposit in early 2010. He said that "As soon as we get the authorization to get into the area, we will. The sooner we can get into the Aqqaluk.

Ms Patty McGrath the EPA regional mining coordinator managing said that the final permit could be issued as early as December, after a 30 day public comment period and a 30 day administrative appeals period expire. She said that Red Dog may be able to meet that schedule. I believe it's realistic if there aren't appeals of our permit or the Corps permit or any of the other permits.

(Sourced from Reuters)