A federal agency has approved expanded exploration for a copper, zinc and gold deposit upstream of the Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve outside Haines.
The Bureau of Land Management approved additional exploration work for Vancouver, British Columbia-based Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. The company is exploring a prospect about 35 miles northwest of Haines.
The approval means Constantine will have access to as many as 40 new exploration drill sites.
The preserve is home to the world’s largest congregation of bald eagles. Up to 4,000 bald eagles fly in to feed on salmon that spawn, die and collect along the Chilkat River after other waterways have frozen.
Mine critics say it’s unreasonable to allow a mine, and the threat of contaminated wastewater spill or other consequence, so close to the river.