Kensington receives final use permit

Coeur d'Alene Mines said it has received final approval on its allowable use permit from the Juneau Planning Commission for the Kensington gold project 45 miles north of Juneau, inside the city and borough boundaries. Coeur called the decision "a milestone permitting event." The company said it expects the final supplemental environmental impact statement and record of decision to be issued by the U.S. Forest Service in November.

In June, Coeur said that results from a revised feasibility study using a new geologic model updated the property's mineralized material inventory, indicating the opportunity for a 50 percent increase in mine life beyond the initial 10-year estimate.

The mine is expected to produce 100,000 ounces of gold per year starting in 2006.