A mine that temporarily operated near Nome in 2008 is taking another step away from operations. Almaden Minerals Ltd. announced Monday that it was selling “certain assets” from the Rock Creek Mill to Metal Explorations PLC.
Representatives for both companies confirmed that the sale includes equipment related to the mill, but not any land or mining claims.
The Rock Creek Mine briefly opened in 2008 before shutting its doors months later. Over the two years the mine was prepared for and was in operation it was $20 million over budget. Two workers died in construction-related accidents and the site received a hefty fine for violating the Clean Water Act.
The mine was purchased by Bering Straits Native Corporation in 2012. At the time, CEO of BSNC Gail Schubert expressed confidence that the mine would be brought back into production, albeit at a smaller scale.
In 2015 Almaden purchased equipment from the mine from BSNC for $6.5 million. The mine was subsequently dismantled and stored near the Port of Nome to await shipment to Almaden’s Ixtapa silver and gold mine in Mexico. The equipment, however, never made the trip to Mexico.
BSNC's subsidiary, Alaska Gold Company, completed reclamation work in 2016 and earned a Reclamation Award from the Department of Natural Resources for their efforts.
The equipment's new owner, Metal Explorations, operates mines in Nicaragua and the Philippines. The purchase price of the equipment was $9.7 million.
