NEW MINING PROJECTS GAINING MOMENTUM 14 ALASKA RESOURCE REVIEW FALL 2024 Donlin Gold, Graphite One moving ahead with efforts BY TIM BRADNER WORK IS CONTINUING ON IMPORTANT NEW ALASKA MINERALS PROJECTS INCLUDING THE LARGE DONLIN GOLD PROJECT NEAR THE KUSKOKWIM RIVER AND GRAPHITE ONE’S PLANNED NATURAL GRAPHITE MINE ON THE SEWARD PENINSULA NORTH OF NOME. Donlin Gold has submitted preliminary engineering for its Large Dam Permit to the state Department of Natural Resources and the agency plans to have an initial review of the application by mid-2025, the DNR said. The project is a joint-venture of Barrick Gold, a major mining company, and NovaGold Resources, a junior explorer. With an estimated 39 million ounces of gold resources, Donlin Gold is one of the world’s largest known gold deposits. Donlin has been in exploration and advanced development planning for years and has secured all of its major federal permits. The Large Dam Permit, issued by the state of Alaska under federal laws, is the last remaining major permit for the project. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers may have to revisit part of its environmental analysis of the project. In a lawsuit brought by tribal groups, Alaska U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason said the Army Corps failed to adequately consider the risk of a large release of mining waste in its 2018 Environmental Impact Statement for Donlin Gold. Tribes fear the effects of the mine on salmon streams. The project is on lands owned by Alaska Native corporations. Graphite One, meanwhile, says it will start work on a feasibility study of its planned graphite mine on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula early next year with plans to permitting the project in mid-2025. If permits and financing are secured Core samples from minerals drilling. Graphite One to begin permitting mid-2025.
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