The Proposed Donlin Gold Mine
Located in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta approximately 145 miles northeast of Bethel & 10 miles north of Cooked Creek
Gold is not a critical mineral
About 93% of gold ends up being made into jewelry and gold bars
Donlin is owned by a Canadian company
The profits from this mine would benefit foreign mining companies not the people of the Kuskokwim or Alaska
The proposed Donlin Gold Mine would be one of the world’s largest gold mines. The threat does not stop at the footprint of the mine.
Barge traffic on the Kuskokwim River increased by nearly 200%
316 mile natural gas pipeline stretching to Cook Inlet
Toxic mine waste known as tailings stored FOREVER in tailings ponds behind earthen dams. Dam breach analysis >>>
Man camps housing workers have a negative historical record bringing drugs, alcohol, sexual abuse and violence into communities
The Donlin mine will result in a 40% increase in mercury deposition to surface waters near the mine, an increase over already high background levels.
More runways throughout the tundra
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has cited “potentially serious impacts on human health and environment,” and “increased concentration of mercury and arsenic in surface water and sediments.”
The damage to salmon streams from the proposed Donlin Gold Mine can never be repaired
Instead, they will check the box through compensatory mitigation by setting aside waters and wetlands on the west side of the Cook Inlet, taking the benefits from our region. This means that lands outside of the YKD will be conserved instead of repairing what is damaged by the creation of the mine. Read more
What are the impacts of a 316 mile natural gas pipeline traversing from the Kuskokwim to Cook Inlet?
Increasing costs to Alaskan residents
Reductions to permafrost
Impacts on salmon streams
Crossing 600 streams
Photo by Dave Cannon