TRANSPORTATION
HOW WOULD DIESEL FUEL BE TRANSPORTED INTO THE REGION?
The mine would require large amounts of fuel every year. It would be transported to Dutch Harbor by tanker, then by double-hull ocean barges to Bethel, where it would be transferred to double-hull river barges for the trip up the Kuskokwim River to a proposed port at Birch Tree Crossing (BTC), about 10 miles downriver from Aniak. From there the fuel would be transported to the mine via pipeline. This 12-inch, buried pipeline would follow the route of a proposed 74-mile access road from BTC to the proposed Donlin Creek mine site.
WHAT IF THERE WAS A FUEL SPILL?
The Donlin Creek project would have an emergency Spill Response Plan ready to implement immediately if there were an accident. The plan includes staged response equipment and trained response crews.
HOW MANY BARGES?
Between one and three barge tows per day would make the trip from Bethel to Birch Tree Crossing each shipping season. A barge tow would consist of four barges pushed by a tug.
HOW WOULD OTHER SUPPLIES BE TRANSPORTED INTO THE REGION?
About 132,000 tons of other supplies would be shipped to the region each year on ocean-going barges when the river is not frozen. Cargo would be unloaded at Bethel and transferred to shallow draft river barges for shipment to Birch Tree Crossing, about 116 miles upriver.
Between one and three barge tows per day would make the trip to BTC, where it would take about 12 hours to off-load and turn around. A barge tow would be made up of four barges, each 150 feet long by 44 feet wide, pushed by a tug. The shipping season would be approximately 90 to 110 days between June and October.
As the general cargo storage yard for the mine site, Birch Tree Crossing would operate year-round. Trucks would move supplies from storage to the mine site along the constructed access road as needed throughout the year. All cargo would be handled and stored in accordance with applicable regulations and standards. Hazardous cargo would be stored in designated secure areas and handled only by trained personnel.
Personnel and some supplies would be transported by air. A 5,000 foot airstrip would be constructed approximately seven miles west of the mine site.