American Pacific announced its budget for the 2023 drilling season at the Palmer project. The company also shared some details about the work that is planned this summer.
In a recent press release, American Pacific announced a $25 million dollar budget for the year 2023. The company bought Constantine Metals in October and operates the Palmer project, which is in the exploratory stages for a copper and zinc mine in the Chilkat watershed.
The company claims the money will go towards drilling core samples to confirm the nature of the deposit in the exploration zone.
The company says it will also conduct drilling to better understand the hydrogeology of the area.
The press release cites work on environmental and engineering studies, and ongoing preparation for a feasibility study.
Some of the funding will also go towards building up the work camp near Porcupine creek.
American Pacific CEO Warwick Smith is quoted as saying “This is the single largest Palmer Project program and budget to date.”
The press release makes no mention of a controversial mile long exploratory tunnel that the company has previously included in its plans.
American Pacific has not answered requests for comments.
The Palmer project is in the Chilkat river watershed, upstream from Klukwan and Haines. Some residents fear waste water from the mine could negatively impact local salmon runs. The Chilkat Indian Village and environmental groups are currently appealing the project’s waste management permit before a state administrative law judge.
