CELEBRATING STATE HISTORY THROUGH THE IDITAROD

CELEBRATING STATE
HISTORY THROUGH
THE IDITAROD
For the fifth consecutive year, Donlin
Gold was a Principal Partner Sponsor of
the Iditarod, honoring the long history
of mining and mushing in Alaska. During
the Musher’s Banquet in Anchorage,
Donlin Gold announced another threeyear commitment as a Principal Partner
Sponsor for the Last Great Race. Donlin
Gold not only helps finance
the operation of the
race, but also contributes
toward awarding each
finishing musher.
“Donlin Gold is pleased to
continue to support the
race, as it brings the Alaska
community together
and commemorates the
state’s natural resource
and mushing background,”
said Donlin Gold General
Manager, Stan Foo.
Iditarider opportunity for Make-A-Wish
Foundation, allowing 10-year-old John
Dexter of Wasilla to ride with musher Brian
Wilmshurst in his dogsled. At the Finishers
Banquet in Nome, Lance Mackey was
awarded the Donlin Gold Sportsmanship
Award. The award is chosen by fellow
mushers and honors the musher who most
demonstrates sportsmanship
throughout the Iditarod.
Additionally, Donlin Gold
sponsored 2015 Kuskokwim
300 winner, Pete Kaiser
of Kaiser Racing Kennel,
in Bethel. Kaiser has a
passion for mushing and
a commitment to suicide
prevention. This year Kaiser
mushed in support of Drew’s
Chanel Simon at the start of the
Foundation, promoting the
official Iditarod in Fairbanks.
message “Suicide is Never
the Answer” along his Iditarod journey.
Both mining and mushing have been tied
throughout Alaska’s history. In the early
1900s, sled dogs provided transportation
for miners to get to the gold fields of “The
Last Frontier.” At one point, the townsite of
Iditarod, which is not too far from Donlin
Gold’s proposed site, grew to become one
of Alaska’s largest cities boasting some
10,000 gold mining prospectors in 1910.
Stan Foo presents musher, Nathan Schroeder, his
new Ski-Doo snowmachine at the Musher’s Banquet.
Kurt Parkan presents Lance Mackey with the Donlin
Gold Sportsmanship Award.
Donlin Gold congratulates Kuskokwim
area Iditarod mushers, Pete Kaiser, who
placed 14th, and Richie Diehl, who placed
23rd, on the completion of the 2015
Iditarod Race.
“We celebrate our shared values and
commitment to the legacy of a trail rich
in both history and resources,” said
Iditarod CEO Stan Hooley.
Not only does Donlin Gold contribute to
the race itself, but also to other aspects
of the Iditarod event. At the Iditarod
Musher’s Banquet, Donlin Gold presented
musher Nathan Schroeder with a Ski-Doo
snowmachine through a random drawing
of all mushers. During the ceremonial start
in Anchorage, Donlin Gold provided an
Pete Kaiser at the official start of this year’s Iditarod in Fairbanks.
A smiling Richie Diehl after crossing the finish line in Nome.
Iditarider John Dexter enjoys a ride in the sled of
Brian Wilmshurst.
Prst Standard
US Postage
PAID
Permit No. 69
Anchorage, AK
4720 Business Park Blvd., Suite G-25
Anchorage, AK 99503
(888) 225-7590
www.DonlinGold.com
IN THIS NEWSLETTER : DONLIN GOLD SUPPORTS IRON DOG AND IDITAROD
Stan Foo congratulates Iditarod winner, Dallas Seavey, on the podium after just
crossing the finish line.
ENCOURAGING HOPE IN THE YK REGION
Donlin Gold lives by the motto “every person going home safe and
healthy every day,” yet one issue affecting the health and safety of
people in the YK region all too often, is the tragedy of suicide.
two organizations will present the play The
Winter Bear Project, which was designed
to encourage open discussion on the
topic of suicide. The play tells the story of a
young Native boy that rises above his past
to become a hero, and offers a source of
positivity and inspiration to youth in the YK
region. The story is inspired by the life of Alaska Native leader, Sidney
Huntington and is highly recommended to youth, ages 12 and up.
Donlin Gold makes year-round efforts to promote, advocate
and address suicide awareness. One of the many ways Donlin
Gold reaches out is through the support and funding of Drew’s
Foundation. Drew’s Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to ending
the cycle of loss with the message “suicide is never the answer.”
Efforts to promote this message include PSAs, visiting schools in
the YK region, teaming up with local inspirations such as Iditarod
musher, Pete Kaiser, and Iron Dog racers advocating suicide
prevention, and other community outreach efforts.
The play will be performed by professional actors who will travel the
YK region performing in Hooper Bay, Chevak, Scammon Bay, Bethel,
Emmonak, Alakanuk and Mountain Village.
Additionally, with the support of Donlin Gold, Drew’s Foundation has
recently partnered with Northstar Community Foundation, whose
mission aligns with Drew’s Foundation as they work to “change the
climate of fear and hopelessness that breeds suicide.” In April, the
Donlin Gold appreciates the businesses and community members
who come together to show support for this important cause. To
find out more about Drew’s Foundation and The Winter Bear,
please visit www.DrewsFoundation.org
DONLIN GOLD IS COMMITTED TO CREATING A SAFE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY
RESPONSIBLE MINING PROJECT THAT PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR FAMILIES IN THE
YUKON KUSKOKWIM REGION TO LIVE IN HEALTHY AND PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES
NEWSLETTER
MARCH/APRIL 2015
MAINTAINING
AN INFORMED
COMMUNITY
During the permitting phase of the
project, Donlin Gold is continuing
its outreach efforts to inform
stakeholders about the project.
Donlin Gold has approximately 30
village project update meetings
scheduled for 2015, with multiple
visits having already taken place in
Saint Mary’s, Akiachak, Hooper Bay,
Chefornak, Kwethluk, Quinhagak,
Akiak and Pilot Station, among
others. When requested, Donlin
Gold presents the meeting in
Yup’ik to assist residents in better
understanding the proposed project.
When possible, the Donlin Gold
team speaks to students in school
on the importance of studying hard,
setting goals and finishing school in
order to prepare themselves for the
work place.
Additional project updates are
given within the YK region and
throughout the state to a variety of
organizations. So far this year, Donlin
Gold has presented updates to AVCP
tribal gathering, YKEDC and AVCP
“Partners in Progress” conference,
the State legislature, chambers of
commerce and rotary clubs.
The project update meetings
and presentations are designed
to provide residents with the
opportunity to learn about the
project directly from Donlin Gold
staff and give stakeholders the
chance to be heard.
TWENTY
YEARS IN
THE REGION
1995 - 2015
This year will mark the 20th year of
the Donlin Gold project. In that time,
Donlin Gold has executed an extensive
environmental and cultural baseline
study program. These efforts include
studies of Kuskokwim River resources
to protect subsistence and studies on
Native heritage by archeologists with the
aid of local residents.
Not only have countless environmental and
cultural studies taken place, but also Donlin
Gold has reached out to people throughout
two decades to hear their concerns
and insight. This has helped design an
environmentally responsible mining project in
the YK region that would result in up to 3,000
jobs during construction, up to 1,200 jobs
during operation and provide employees with
work skills that can serve them in the future.
Proposing a mine design that respects the
cultures and the land of the YK people
by meeting or exceeding environmental
standards has remained a steadfast goal of
Donlin Gold’s. One of the ways that Donlin
Gold exemplified this goal was by proposing
the 14-inch buried natural gas pipeline,
which would minimize potential barge traffic
associated with the mine on the Kuskokwim
River. Donlin Gold has also developed a
reclamation and closure plan that includes
industry-best standards and practices.
Permitting efforts
continue to move
forward, and the US Army Corps of Engineers
plans to release the Draft Environmental
Impact Statement (EIS) later this year.
Following the release of the Draft EIS, the
public will have another opportunity to
comment on the document and the Corps of
Engineers will hold additional meetings.
Donlin Gold is pleased to have
continuously seen progress for the past 20
years and looks forward to the upcoming
opportunity of public review. An updated
EIS schedule can be found on the US
Army Corps of Engineers’ project website
at www.DonlinGoldEIS.com. Stakeholders
can also access additional information
at www.Facebook.com/DonlinGold,
or www.DonlinGold.com
Face to Face
Public input is a very
important part of our planning
process, and we would like to
hear from you.
with Stan Foo
Keeping our stakeholders informed is one of our most important jobs and
something we do throughout the year. We use many methods to keep
people updated about the latest news with Donlin Gold—our bimonthly
newsletter being just one of them. Each year around this time, our
community outreach team hosts meetings throughout the region. The
schedule is intensive, and as many of you know, the logistics for traveling
to multiple communities is often challenging. This spring, we are holding project
update meetings in 30 villages to provide the most recent information about the project,
answer questions you may have, hear what you have to say and to learn about your concerns.
SEND MAIL TO:
Donlin Gold
4720 Business Park Blvd.,
Suite G-25
Anchorage, AK 99503
PHONE:
(907) 273-0200
(888) 225-7590 toll free
Find us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/DonlinGold
In addition to village meetings and newsletters, Donlin Gold staff participate in many events
throughout the YK region and state of Alaska, such as the Iron Dog Safety Expo, YK regional
festivals and fairs, conferences and other important events. During the summer, we look forward
to getting out on the Kuskokwim to promote river safety and visit fish camps, as we have in
years past. All of these offer opportunities for stakeholders to ask questions and share their
thoughts and concerns about the project, and for us to provide the most current information.
For more project
information visit us online
at www.DonlinGold.com
To voice concerns or
complaints about the
project contact us at
[email protected]
or (855) 279-0382
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Wall’ qanrutkarkangqerquvet
quyakenrilkevnek, wani igaqikut
[email protected]
wall’ qayagaurluta wani;
(855) 279-0382.
Unakumarikumteggu
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Our website is another way that we keep people informed and communicate current
information; on it, you can view short project overview videos and the Donlin Gold project
description brochure and read about other highlights of our plan for the Donlin Gold mine.
The video and brochure are both available in English and Yup’ik. Our website also has information to
help people understand the jobs that will be available and how to plan for them with our
booklet, “Planning for Your Future: Jobs with Donlin Gold.”
I encourage everyone who is interested to learn more about Donlin Gold to join us at our
upcoming project update meetings. The schedule for those can be found on our website at
www.DonlinGold.com/community and our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/DonlinGold.
If we are not coming to your village and you have questions or would like to know
more about Donlin Gold, please visit our website or Facebook page, send us an email
at [email protected], or call or stop by any of our offices located in Bethel, Aniak or
Anchorage. We look forward to seeing and hearing from you.
Stan Foo
General Manager
Donlin Gold
WHERE WE ARE NOW
16 YEARS
4+
3-4
27+ YEARS
Proposed project is defined
by Donlin Gold
Natural Gas Pipeline
Studies conducted
Feasibility Studies conducted
PUBLIC
INPUT
FINAL
EIS
Up to
3,000
jobs
OPERATION
DRAFT
EIS
CONSTRUCTION
EXPLORATION &
ENVIRONMENTAL
STUDIES
SCOPING
(PUBLIC
INPUT)
Up to
1,200
jobs
THE PERMITTING PROCESS (4+ YEARS)
REGIONAL AND TRIBAL CONSULTATION WITH STATE AND FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCIES
National Environmental Policy Act requires an Environmental Impact Statement. Formal public comment opportunities.
If developed, the mine is estimated to have a 27+ year life,
producing approximately 1.1 million ounces of gold annually.
DONLIN GOLD
SUPPORTS THE
2015 IRON DOG
On February 21,
engines surged as the
ceremonial start of the
Annual Iron Dog race
went underway in the
city of Anchorage for the first time. The official start of the
Iron Dog race occurred the following day at Big Lake where
37 Pro Class teams began the 2,031-mile-trek north to
Nome, then back south to the finish line in Fairbanks.
Donlin Gold is a Premier Sponsor of the Iron Dog. To offer
support to communities in the YK region, Donlin Gold also
sponsors Team 12, consisting of Robert and Steffen Strick Jr.
of McGrath, and Team 3, with Steven Boney of Bethel and race
partner Doug Dixon of Anchorage. Both teams advocated
for suicide prevention on the journey to the finish line.
To combat the unfamiliar and potentially dangerous
weather this year’s race posed, racers were required to
prepare themselves for extreme conditions and ensure their
snowmachines were safe for the voyage. As safety is a top
priority, Donlin Gold hosted the annual Iron Dog Donlin
Gold Safety Expo at Anchorage’s new Cabela’s where Donlin
Gold and Pro Class racers promoted safety among Alaska
outdoor enthusiasts. Expo attendees had the opportunity to
view demonstrations, participate in seminars and meet the
Steven Boney and his wife celebrate together
after he crosses the Iron Dog finish line.
The community warmly greets Team 3, after they cross Iron Dog finish line.
Iron Dog Pro Class racers, who were already approved for
pre-race inspection on their safety and survival gear.
Donlin Gold recognizes the importance of the Iron Dog as
it brings Alaska communities together and bolsters safety,
dedication and determination. Furthermore, the event
offers an opportunity to reach out and foster relationships
Robert Strick celebrates with his children
after he crosses the Iron Dog finish line.
Vernon Chimegalrea presents Team 20 with the Gold Rush Award for
being the first team to reach Nome.
IRON DOG TEAMS SPREAD THE
MESSAGE OF SUICIDE PREVENTION
with communities along the race
route and people attending Iron Dog
events, including an exchange
between rural and urban students.
Donlin Gold congratulates all Pro Class
racers with special congratulations to
the winners of this year’s 2015 Iron Dog
Race, Scott Faeo and Eric Quam.
The 2015 Iron Dog winners, Faeo and Quam, raise their
trophies high in celebration.
During this year’s 2015 Iron Dog Race, Donlin Gold sponsored Team 3 and 12,
as both advocate a very important cause: suicide prevention.
Team 3 consists of Steven Boney, lifelong
Bethel resident and snowmachine mechanic,
and Doug Dixon, lifelong Alaskan and
operator of Fine Line Interiors. Both men are
husband and father to loving families, and
veterans of the Iron Dog Race. With support
from Donlin Gold, Drew’s Foundation served
as a proud sponsor for the men in this year’s
Iron Dog Race to help spread the message
“suicide is never the answer.”
For immediate support,
please call:
Statewide Suicide
Prevention Hotline
Steffen Strick Jr. and Robert Strick of Team
877-266-4357
12, often referred to as “Team Strick”, are
or
born and raised Alaskans and hail from the
Nationwide Suicide
Prevention Hotline
village of McGrath. Steffen and Robert are
also veterans of the race, loving fathers and
800-273-8255
outdoor sports enthusiasts. These brothers
are also committed to promoting the message of suicide prevention. The team
has partnered with the Department of Health and Social Services Statewide
Suicide Prevention Council in efforts to advocate the message “life is a team
effort.” Team 12 carried this message on their Iron Dog journey, distributing posters
and cards to Alaska villages and towns.
While both teams encountered trials and extreme adversity, both proved
resilient, as they were able to complete the race, with Team 12 placing 9th and
Team 3 placing 11th. Their determination and perseverance sets an example
for those who are struggling.
Attendees greet Team Strick at the 2015 Donlin Gold
Iron Dog Expo at Cabela’s.
Donlin Gold congratulates the teams on completing the challenging Iron Dog
race and applauds their efforts to put an end to a tragedy that unfortunately has
affected too many lives in the YK region. Donlin Gold encourages anyone struggling
with thoughts of suicide to reach out. Those seeking a source of support can visit
www.DrewsFoundation.org or www.dhss.alaska.gov/suicideprevention for more
information and assistance.