Kolmakof Mine

Location: 19 miles east of Aniak and approximately 10 miles west of Napaimute (North ½ Section 6, Township 17 North, Range 53 West, Seward Meridian, Alaska)

Partners:  None

Hazards being addressed:  Chemicals, Fuel, Solid Waste, and Mercury contamination of soil

The Kolmakof Mine Site (KMS) is an abandoned cinnabar (mercury) mine located on the north bank of the Kuskokwim River, approximately 19 miles east of Aniak and approximately 10 miles west of Napaimute.

The last known mining activity was in 1972, with the claims being determined abandoned-void in 1986. The BLM initiated action on environmental issues at the KMS in 1999 under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liabilities Act (CERCLA). The BLM has removed buildings, vehicles, mining equipment, removed soil contaminated with oil, and as of 2016, removed 160 cubic yards of soils containing elevated metals concentrations. During a 2024 removal action (RA) an additional 850 cubic yards of mercury-impacted soil was excavated from the former retort area and transported to Columbia Ridge Landfill in Arlington, Oregon for disposal. The BLM is currently pursuing a No Further Action/Cleanup Complete determination from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

The KMS is listed on the USEPA Superfund Federal Facilities Docket with ID Number: AKN001002949. The KMS is listed on the State of Alaska Contaminated Sites Database, File ID: 2404.38.014.