Dec 1 2015
Barrick Gold Corporation (Barrick) and NOVAGOLD RESOURCES INC. (NOVAGOLD) are pleased to announce that the Donlin Gold Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) has been published by the US Army Corps of Engineers and is now available at www.donlingoldeis.com.
This is a significant permitting milestone for the Donlin Gold project located in Alaska, the second largest gold producing State in the US.
Following the filing of the DEIS, the Corps is expected to:
- Issue a schedule for public meetings on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), to be held in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region and Anchorage in the coming weeks
- Accept written comments on the DEIS until the close of the 5-month comment period at the end of April 2016
- Review and respond to all comments on the DEIS in a Final EIS, which the Corps' schedule anticipates will be published in 2017
"The release of the DEIS marks another positive step for Calista Corporation and our shareholders," said Andrew Guy, President and CEO of Calista Corporation. "As an Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) corporation, Calista must meet two key goals, to successfully operate as a profitable business and to provide socio-economic benefits to our shareholders. The advancement of this project can allow Calista to meet both ANCSA goals by providing an opportunity to develop partnerships for future low cost energy, in addition to meaningful employment opportunities for shareholders and a revenue stream for Calista."
"We are pleased that the Donlin Gold EIS is moving forward," said Maver Carey, President and CEO of The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC). "Donlin Gold's continued presence in the region over the past two decades and the partnership which we have developed through the updated Surface Use Agreement, represent tremendous opportunities for the shareholders of our 10 villages and the broader Yukon-Kuskokwim community. It has the potential to create jobs and financial benefits for TKC and the people in the region, allowing them to continue living off this land for generations to come."
"This is a positive development for the Donlin Gold project and we want to express our appreciation to those involved." said Kelvin Dushnisky, President of Barrick Gold Corporation. "In particular we would like to thank the Army Corps of Engineers, the State of Alaska and all of the cooperating agencies and communities. Donlin Gold's significant resource remains a great asset to Barrick. We are confident that the Donlin Gold LLC team in partnership with Calista and the TKC are advancing the permitting process expeditiously and with due consideration for all stakeholders. We thank them for that."
"Permitting a major project such as Donlin Gold requires a tremendous level of collaboration and team spirit on the part of all parties involved," said Greg Lang, NOVAGOLD's President and Chief Executive Officer. "The credit for reaching this important milestone is shared by many men and women committed to the successful and responsible development of Donlin Gold. NOVAGOLD would like to thank the Corps and all the cooperating agencies; our partners at Donlin Gold itself: the Calista Corporation, owner of the minerals, and The Kuskokwim Corporation, owner of the surface lands; our partner Barrick; and our own team. Their combined effort and dedication, leading to the publication of this extensive Draft EIS, has gone a long way in the development of this exciting gold project. Donlin Gold offers significant opportunities for economic stimulus, job creation, and social and community development. More importantly, the project could create unique incentive for people to return to their region by generating economic growth that is consistent with traditional ways of life. With this opportunity in mind, we encourage the local communities in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region and other interested parties to be active participants in the public meetings."
In addition to further advancing the DEIS, Donlin Gold has advanced a number of other key permits. The Public Notice for the Clean Water Act Section 404 (Wetlands) permit application was issued by the Corps. The Air Quality and Integrated Waste Management permit applications were submitted to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). Donlin Gold also submitted lease applications to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) and continued to work with the ADNR Dam Safety Program on its dam application package.
Source: http://www.novagold.com/