Library Search

The Kuskokwim River provides a critical source of wild food and serves as a bedrock of identity and cultural values for Alaska Native Tribal citizens and community members living downstream from the Donlin mine site. (Dave Cannon)
Update April 6, 2023

Southwest Alaska Tribes Fight the World’s Largest Pure Gold Mine

The Donlin Gold Mine could soon be built along the Kuskokwim River in Southwest Alaska, threatening a vital ecosystem and Native ways of life.

Press Release April 5, 2023

Southwest Alaska Tribes Sue in Federal Court to Halt the Donlin Gold Mine

The massive proposed open-pit gold mine and its toxic chemicals threaten salmon, human health, and the Tribes’ traditional ways of life

Document April 5, 2023

Donlin Mine Complaint

Southwest Alaska Tribes Sue in Federal Court to Halt the Donlin Gold Mine

Rainbow smelt, whitefish, and trout are also plentiful in the Kuskokwim.
(Dave Cannon)
feature November 2, 2021

Donlin Gold Mine Jeopardizes a Way of Life in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta

Alaska Native Tribes who live downstream from the proposed Donlin mine site are facing off against the existential threat the gold mine poses.

In the News: KTOO July 1, 2021

Orutsararmiut Native Council to challenge Donlin Mine water quality certificate in court

Tom Waldo, Attorney, Alaska Office, Earthjustice: “The mine, as proposed, would not comply with water quality standards for protection of salmon habitat, for temperature, and for mercury.”

Kuskokwim River, in southwest Alaska. The Donlin mine's massive industrial operation will destroy thousands of acres of wetlands and streams and cause permanently elevated levels of dangerous metals in local water.
(Peter Griffith / NASA)
case July 1, 2021

Challenging the Donlin Gold Mine

A consortium of Tribal governments from the Kuskokwim region, represented by Earthjustice, are fighting Donlin Gold, a mining project owned by Canadian-based mining giants NovaGold and Barrick Gold. If it is constructed, the proposed Donlin Gold mine will be one of the world’s largest open-pit mines. Located 10 miles north of the village of Crooked…

In the News: KYUK June 30, 2021

ONC To Challenge Donlin Water Quality Certificate In Court

Tom Waldo, Attorney, Alaska Office, Earthjustice: “The mine, as proposed, would not comply with water quality standards for protection of salmon habitat, for temperature, and for mercury.”

Document June 28, 2021

Notice of Appeal Challenging Donlin Mine Water Certificate Approval

The Orutsararmiut Traditional Native Council (ONC) filed a Notice of Appeal in Alaska Superior Court in Anchorage, challenging Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Jason Brune’s decision to uphold a water-quality permit.

Press Release June 28, 2021

Bethel Tribe Challenges DEC Commissioner’s Decision Upholding Donlin Gold Mine Permit

Mine operations will cause mercury to spike to unsafe levels

In the News: Indian Country Today June 2, 2021

The State of Alaska Stands by Decision on Donlin Gold Mine

Olivia Glasscock, Attorney, Alaska Office, Earthjustice: “There is no mine on Earth of this size or type that has ever succeeded in not contaminating surrounding waters, and Donlin will be no different. Earthjustice will continue to challenge this short-sighted plan, which would rob an entire region of a priceless river only to line the pockets…

Press Release May 28, 2021

Despite Concerns About Dangerous Mercury Exposure, Alaska Commissioner Rubber-Stamps Donlin Gold Mine Certification

Decision follows administrative law judge ruling that mine will result in violations of water quality standards; certificate should not have been issued

Document May 27, 2021

DEC Commissioner's Decision Donlin Mine

A commissioner from the Department of Environment and Conservation in Alaska rejected a ruling from an administrative law judge finding that a water quality certificate should not have been issued for the Donlin Gold mine.

The old-growth trees of the Tongass National Forest provide a major buffer against climate change.
(JOHN HYDE / WILD THINGS PHOTOGRAPHY)
From the Experts May 20, 2021

‘America the Beautiful’ Points the Way Toward Necessary Conservation of Lands and Waters

Here are 4 actions the Biden administration should focus on right away.

In the News: The Cordova Times April 14, 2021

DEC advised to rescind wetlands permit for Donlin Gold mine

Kuskokwim River, in southwest Alaska. The Donlin mine's massive industrial operation will destroy thousands of acres of wetlands and streams and cause permanently elevated levels of dangerous metals in local water.
(Peter Griffith / NASA)
Press Release: Victory May 19, 2020

Alaska Department of Natural Resources Remands Donlin Gasline Right-of-way Permit

Tribes successfully challenge DNR’s approval for natural gas pipeline to fuel massive mining operation

An aerial view of the Kuskokwim River in Alaska. The Donlin Gold mine project would dramatically change the Yukon Kuskokwim region.
(Joseph/Umnak / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Press Release February 7, 2019

Kuskokwim Tribes Fight Donlin Mine Permits

Leaders assert major mine permits are illegal, rushed, and ignore local concerns

Donlin Gold’s proposed natural gas pipeline threatens the Iditarod’s most cherished quality—its wilderness mystique. Author Monica Zappa and her dog team (above), with Blue Steel in the lead, arrive in Nome, Alaska, at the end of the 2015 Iditarod.
(Photo courtesy of Monica Zappa)
Article August 29, 2016

Protecting the ‘Wilderness Mystique’ of Alaska’s Iditarod Trail

Donlin Gold’s proposed natural gas pipeline threatens the Iditarod’s most cherished quality—its wilderness mystique.

A musher races down the Tanana River during the opening hour of the Iditarod dogsled race in 2015. A new rule in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race stifles opposition to a massive open-pit gold mine in southwestern Alaska.
(Troutnut/Shutterstock)
Article March 8, 2016

Free Speech in the Land of the Midnight Sun

A new rule in the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race stifles opposition to a massive open-pit gold mine in southwestern Alaska.