Donlin Mine
At Risk of Losing Natural Habitat
For the past several years, Inletkeeper has joined forces with Tribes and others to protect fish habitat from the impacts of the proposed Donlin mine along the shores of the Kuskokwim River to the waters of Cook Inlet. Now, as we face a critical gas shortage in Cook Inlet, we are concerned about Donlin’s impact on the cost of energy for Alaskans.
Donlin Mine: No Good For Anyone
The Donlin Gold mine would be a massive open-pit complex next to the Kuskokwim River in southwest Alaska, and it presents sweeping risks to wild salmon habitat stretching from the west side of Cook Inlet, through the Susitna Valley drainage, and into the Kuskokwim watershed.
The Donlin mine poses an unprecedented threat to wild Alaskan salmon and the people and cultures who rely on them. The Kuskokwim is the most important subsistence river for Native Tribes in Alaska. Pollution discharges and habitat destruction from the mine pose serious threats to subsistence resources and the dozens of Native Villages they support.
Furthermore, the natural gas pipeline needed to fuel the mine will impact hundreds of wild salmon streams along its 315 mile path from Cook Inlet, over the Alaska Range, to the mine site in the Kuskokwim basin. This corridor – pocked with airstrips, gravel pits and access roads – would open up motorized access to a vast acreage of untrammeled wildlands and create vulnerable pathways that will accelerate the spread of wild fires, invasive species and spruce bark beetle infestations in the Susitna Valley and beyond. Together, the mine complex and the gas pipeline create a broad array of threats to wild salmon never before seen in Alaska.
REPORT: Cook Inlet Natural Gas Market Outlook with Incremental Demand from Donlin Mine
Developed by: Mark A. Foster, Mark A Foster & Associates (MAFA)
Blogs on The Donlin Mine Through the Years
Treasure Beneath our Feet: Keeping Gold in the Ground
Alaska’s gold mines threaten clean water and salmon. Learn how Cook Inletkeeper is protecting Alaska’s true treasure — and why gold recycling is the smarter, sustainable path forward.
Donlin Gold Mine on the Fast Track
Despite serious environmental and community concerns, the proposed Donlin Gold Project was added to the FAST-41 permitting program, marking it as a federal priority. Donlin Gold would be the largest pure gold mine in the world.
Victory, for now — Donlin Ordered to Complete New Environmental Analysis
In a recent win for the people of the Kuskokwim and opponents of the Donlin mine, a judge ruled in June that a more extensive environmental impact assessment is needed before construction can continue.
Yes, Donlin’s Demand for Natural Gas WILL Increase Local Prices
Represented by Earthjustice, Inletkeeper and four tribes from the Kuskokwim Delta region: Orutsararmiut Native Council, Chevak Native Village, Native Village of Eek, and Native Village of Kwigillingok – are legally challenging the state’s right-of-way permit for the proposed Donlin Mine gas pipeline. Oral arguments in the case were heard before the Alaska Supreme Court on November 12th, 2024. Huge thanks to Olivia Glasscock and Kate Glover from Earthjustice for presenting our arguments so well. Now, we wait for a decision from the Supreme Court Justices.
Salmonfest Salmon Champions 2024
It is our hope that when folks depart from the Salmonfest sea, their hearts are filled with joy and a renewed dedication to the salmon movement in Alaska
The Donlin Gold Mine Equals Disaster
My family has a cabin on the river where we frequently haul supplies on our little boat to fish camp; with a large load, the process is very challenging. With the Donlin project’s barging requirements, safely harvesting fish, bringing our kids to fish camp, and living life safely on our rivers will be nearly impossible.
Donlin Mine Set to Impact Alaskans’ Utility Bills
Alarm bells will be ringing for Southcentral Alaska if Donlin Mine pursues Cook Inlet natural gas to fuel its proposed massive gold mining operation in Western Alaska, with detrimental consequences for Alaskans’ utility bills. Cook Inletkeeper has just released an economic report: Cook Inlet Natural Gas Market Outlook with Incremental Demand from Donlin Mine, which outlines how much NOVAGOLD and Donlin Gold LLC’s energy needs will cost Southcentral Alaska residents and businesses.