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Q:
How did the Donlin Gold project come to be? Who owns the land?
David Deisley
executive vice president and general counsel NOVAGOLD
Andrew Guy
president and CEO Calista Corporation
A:
A:
14
The Donlin Gold deposit is located on Calista Corporation mineral lands with Donlin Gold LLC as the operator under
a mining lease agreement with Calista, one of 13 regional
Alaska Native Corporations established as part of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971. The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC), an entity formed in 1977 by 10 ANCSA village corporations located along the middle region of the Kuskokwim River, is the owner of the surface rights for most of the project lands. Donlin Gold LLC operates under a surface use agreement with TKC. These agreements are life-of-mine agreements and provide royalties, employment opportunities, scholarships, and preferential contract considerations. Both Calista and TKC remain important and supportive stakeholders of the project, and both will participate in its economic benefits.
As an ANCSA corporation, Calista has two primary goals: generate profit for the corporation and its shareholders, and provide other socio-economic opportunity and benefits to the shareholders and their descendants. The Donlin Gold project has already provided vocational training and employment opportunities that otherwise do not exist in the economically challenged Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta – and it’s anticipated to continue to do so. Improved transportation and communication infrastructure to support the mine, including port and pipeline facilities, can potentially provide better services and lower cost of goods to local residents. Ultimately, economic development of such a large project will help fulfill the broader goal of self- determination by allowing residents and Calista shareholders to significantly participate in the world economy. Calista intends to be an active, involved participant in the development of our land and mineral resources at Donlin Gold.
Kotlik
Bill Moore’s Slough Hamilton
Nikolai
Chuloonawick Emmonak
Mountain Village Pitkas Point
Scammon Bay
Hooper Bay Chevak
Newtok
Tununak Toksook Bay Umkumiute
Takotna
McGrath
Alakanuk Nunam Iqua
Grayling Anvik Shageluk
Holy Cross
Donlin Gold
Saint Mary’s Pilot Station
Ohogamiut
Marshall
Russian Mission
Upper Kalskag Lower Kalskag
Crooked Creek
Georgetown
Stony River
Sleetmute
Alaska
Paimiut
Red Devil Aniak Napaimute
Chuathbaluk
Lime Village
Nunapitchuk
Kasigluk Atmautluak
Akiachak Bethel
Tuluksak
Akiak
Kwethluk Oscarville
Tuntutuliak Eek
Kongiganak Kwigillingok
Quinhagak
Napakiak
Napaskiak
Mekoryuk
Nightmute
Chefornak Kipnuk
Goodnews Bay