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David Deisley
executive vice president and general counsel
What does NOVAGOLD’s alliance with the NFWF entail and how does this bene t both parties?
Mr. Lang: This is an unprecedented and unique alliance, not previously seen between NFWF and a mining company, further reinforcing our commitment to Alaska and the project region.
NFWF went to Alaska on numerous occasions and also visited the Donlin Gold property to complete its own due diligence on the project and the team’s approach to the sustainable – as well as socially responsible – development and future operation of this project.
Subsequently, NFWF and NOVAGOLD are investing in the Alaska Fish and Wildlife Fund conservation initiative with the goal of restoring habitats and building capacity for natural resource conservation in Alaska. Some of the proposed projects and locally led e orts will be in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, where the Donlin Gold project is located. The program will integrate NFWF’s expertise with Donlin Gold’s wealth of baseline data, regional experience, and ecological knowledge to enhance the conservation of sh and wildlife in Alaska for many years to come.
What input do the local communities have in the permitting process?
Mr. Deisley: Local communities are our neighbors – and at Donlin Gold, they’re the owners of the minerals and land on which the project will be built and operated.
Over the nearly 20 years of activities at Donlin Gold, we have consistently sought to build strong community partnerships, reach equitable participation agreements with Calista (the owner of mineral rights) and TKC (the owner of surface rights), and establish good communication with local communities as well
as state and federal regulators. At the same time, we collected extensive environmental baseline data to facilitate permitting of the project and developed training and employment programs to engage the local population and businesses in the advancement of Donlin Gold. We have also engaged with members of the Tahltan Nation, on whose traditional territory we plan to develop Galore Creek.
We’re very proud of the relationships that we have with our community partners. We have taken the time to listen to their concerns and carefully designed our projects to mitigate those concerns. We welcome the scrutiny that the permitting process entails, given the importance of a project of this size to the state and to the region.
What has been updated in the new Surface Use Agreement with TKC?
Mr. Deisley: Donlin Gold LLC and TKC reached an updated, long-term agreement extending Donlin Gold’s rights to use the surface lands owned by TKC. This important agreement, which covers Donlin Gold’s projected mine life, is now in alignment with the duration of the existing exploration and mining lease with Calista, owner of the mineral rights to the lands encompassing the project. The mutually bene cial agreement with TKC represents an important milestone in the advancement of Donlin Gold toward development and production.
Notably, the agreement provides direct compensation to TKC through payments for project milestones, annual surface use, and mine operation; includes a coordinated and consultative approach between Donlin Gold and TKC regarding annual project planning and reclamation as well as preparation of a subsistence harvest plan for a ected surface lands; and gives certain preference to TKC for contracts, hiring, and training TKC shareholders – as well as funding scholarships and working with federal, state, and local entities to help create and fund a training facility in the region.
We truly appreciate our partnership with the Alaska Native Corporations and look forward to a prosperous future for all stakeholders.
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