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A former copper mine that operated from 1899 to 1930.
Beatson is a former copper mine which operated from 1899 to 1930.
Latouche Island and the surrounding land and waters of the Chugach region are the Traditional and ancestral homelands of the Sugpiaq people, including the Chenega, Valdez, Tatitlek and Eyak Tribes. We acknowledge and honour the ancestors, elders and current generations of these tribal nations, who have cared for these lands, waters and wildlife from time immemorial. We didn’t operate the Beatson mine, but acquired responsibility for the mineral estate and related remediation obligations through our acquisition of the Kennecott Copper Corporation in 1989. We’re not planning to conduct any future mining operations and don’t have plans in the area beyond remediation and monitoring. We’re developing a Site Cleanup Plan to address soil, water and sediment impacts from past mining operations. Pending federal and state approvals, we estimate the multi-year cleanup could begin as early as 2028.
The proposed Site Cleanup Plan prioritises environmental improvements and recovery, with an emphasis on land stewardship. This will be informed by Indigenous knowledge systems that foster a respectful, reciprocal relationship with the land and its ecosystems.
The site includes:
Our proposed Site Cleanup Plan includes consolidating and storing all waste rock and beach tailings in a purpose-built facility to prevent metals from leaching, removing historical mining debris and replanting affected areas to rehabilitate the site. Over the next 2 to 3 years, we’ll design the engineering plan, secure necessary federal and state permits, and prepare for cleanup construction. This timeline could change because our work can’t proceed without certain state and federal approvals. We’re working closely with all stakeholders to advance cleanup work as soon as possible.
Since 2016, we’ve conducted extensive mapping and sampling studies across the site. This included sampling soil, groundwater surface water, and sediment; an ecological investigation; wetland delineation; a biodiversity survey; and finding and mapping mine features like shafts, waste rock piles and beach tailings. We also investigated the underwater tailings area to identify contaminants and any potential impacts.
These studies informed the development of the draft Site Cleanup Plan, submitted to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in 2025.
The studies identified:
The proposed cleanup includes:
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) have already put controls in place to ensure the underwater tailings deposit remains stable and undisturbed. Administrative controls will also be put in place to ensure the on-site repository and soil cover areas are undisturbed.
DEC houses a full project library, which includes documentation of site activities and findings.
Latouche Island is part of the Traditional territory of the Chenega People. We work closely with the Native Village of Chenega and the Chenega Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, to collaboratively plan and regularly discuss plans for remediation activities. Our relationship is grounded in mutual respect and shared goals, and we regularly meet with them to ensure their perspectives and priorities are reflected in our work. We recognise the deep cultural and historical significance of this area to the Chenega People and are dedicated to honouring our commitments with integrity. We work closely with private landowners on the Island, including Chenega Corporation and Chugach Corporation, to ensure transparency around on-site activities and any changes that may affect the community. We also participate annually in the Prince William Sound Natural History Symposium to present project updates and engage with stakeholders.
In 2024, DEC began Alaska Native outreach and public comment review periods for a Use Attainability Analysis. The analysis allows for impacted waterbodies to be reclassified to better reflect their current use and support human and environmental health. Additionally in 2024, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) held a public comment period on a proposed environmental covenant between DNR and the DEC. The covenant is intended to prevent disturbance of the underwater marine tailings deposit. We’re working with DEC on the Draft Site Cleanup Plan to incorporate their feedback and finalise the Plan in 2026. Pending the federal and state permitting processes once the Site Cleanup Plan is finalised and approved by DEC, we estimate the multi-year cleanup could begin as early as 2028.
We acknowledge and honour the ancestors, elders, and current generations of the Tribal nations of Latouche Island and the Chugach region, who have cared for these lands, waters, and wildlife from time immemorial. We recognise that the historic Beatson mine is here because of the sacrifices forced upon the Sugpiaq people. Our goal is to integrate their history and Traditional knowledge with our efforts to remedy the impacts caused by historical mining. Between 1899 and 1930, 3 mines operated on Latouche Island – the Beatson, Blackbird and Chenega mines. They’re collectively referred to by the DEC as the Beatson mine. We didn’t own or operate the mines; however, in 1989 we acquired the mineral estate from the company that owned and operated the Beatson Mine site as part of a larger acquisition of the Kennecott Copper Corporation. We started working with Alaska’s DEC in 2014 to develop site characterisation study plans and began investigating environmental impacts from historical mining operations.
Since then, we’ve collaborated with the DEC, the DNR, Native Village of Chenega, Chenega Corporation, Chugach Corporation, and other landowners within the subdivision on Latouche Island.
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