Alaska approved only the first 1.3 miles of the New Amalga mine access road.
Why it matters: The decision advances one piece of a controversial mine-related project near Juneau, but leaves the rest of the road dependent on federal review. It shows how a project can move forward in separate state and federal steps, with timing still uncertain.
- Alaska's Department of Natural Resources approved a state road easement for an initial 1.3-mile segment on Aug. 18, 2026.
- The road is tied to Grande Portage Resources' New Amalga Gold Project near Juneau, about 25 km north of the city.
- The state notice says the remaining 1.13-mile segment and a second staging area depend on U.S. Forest Service approval of the company's minerals extraction plan.
- Alaska Public Media/KTOO reported 196 public comments on the proposal, with about 90% opposed.
Alaska approved only the first piece of a road tied to Grande Portage Resources' New Amalga Gold Project near Juneau. The state's Regional Manager's Decision, issued Aug. 18, authorizes a road easement for an initial 1.3-mile segment on state land.
The approval stops there. The state notice says a second phase would authorize the rest of the road and a second staging area only if the U.S. Forest Service approves the company's minerals extraction plan on adjacent federal land.
The road would run near Herbert Glacier and Eagle Glacier, about 25 km north of Juneau. Alaska Public Media/KTOO reported that the first segment would support staging for drilling supplies and transport toward the proposed mine site.
Public opposition was substantial. Alaska Public Media/KTOO reported 196 comments on the road proposal, with about 90% opposed. The same report quoted Chalyee Éesh Richard Peterson, president of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, saying the road risks committing the landscape to industrial development before the full consequences are analyzed.
Grande Portage said on Aug. 20 that it had received regulatory clearance for the road easement.
By the numbers
- 1.3 miles - Length of the first road segment Alaska approved.
- 1.13 miles - Remaining segment tied to later federal review.
- 196 comments - Public comments reported on the proposal, with about 90% opposed.
Yes, but: The easement is only a partial approval, and the remaining road still depends on Forest Service action.
What's next: The next step is U.S. Forest Service review of the company's minerals extraction plan on adjacent federal land.