NGOs warn Donlin mine spill could devastate region
A new federal review finds a major tailings failure could cause deaths, contaminate water and suppress fish for generations.
The proposed Donlin Gold mine in Alaska faces criticism from NGOs after a federal study revealed that a major tailings spill could devastate the region, bury a nearby village and cause long-term environmental damage. The US Army Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Land Management released a draft supplemental environmental impact statement, examining a spill that would release about 27% of the mine's tailings capacity.
The study found that such a spill could render the village of Crooked Creek uninhabitable, contaminate the Kuskokwim River, and harm fish populations for generations. The Organized Village of Kwethluk expressed concern over the Kuskokwim River, which has been crucial for their customary and traditional practices. Despite the potential devastation, Donlin Gold, owned by Novagold, expects the mine to produce about 1.1 million ounces annually over a 27-year mine life.
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