Canadian miner Minto Metals on Thursday announced that it would not have access to the Port of Skagway, Alaska, for at least two years, while the port undertakes a redevelopment project to better position itself for cruise ships and tourism.
The port redevelopment project involves significant rework of the Ore Dock over the next two years and the industrial section revamp will restrict ore loading until the project is completed.
Minto has been shipping its concentrate from its namesake mine, in Yukon, through Skagway since 2008.
The company said it was in discussions with certain parties to explore other alternatives, one being the port at Stewart, British Columbia. Minto said it expected a new arrangement to be in place by July 2023 in time for the summer concentrate haulage period.
The Skagway port could once again become an option in 2025 or 2026 after the redevelopment project is completed.