by Donlin Gold Staff
Donlin Gold has reopened its exploration camp for the 2021 drilling season, with continued implementation of strict COVID-19 safety precautions to protect employees and the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region. All employees traveling to and from the project site are required to follow established protocols within the company and their home villages.
Following a successful 2020 season with zero COVID-19 cases on-site, employees will again have mandatory testing prior to traveling to camp and/or upon arrival, as well as follow social distancing and other stringent requirements. All employees are also required to follow their village’s COVID-19 protocols upon returning to their community. Donlin Gold encourages all employees, contractors and support staff to get vaccinated.
Donlin Gold has currently hired employees from the following 18 Y-K communities for the 2021 season:
Akiachak, Aniak, Bethel, Crooked Creek, Kwethluk, Kwigillingok, Marshall, McGrath, Nikolai, Napaskiak, Pilot Station, Quinhagak, Red Devil, Russian Mission, Scammon Bay, Sleetmute, Stony River, and Toksook Bay.
“We are pleased to report we have employees representing 18 Y-K communities working at the project site this summer,” said Kristina Woolston, External Affairs Manager at Donlin Gold. “We are continuing to stay engaged with the latest health and safety recommendations from state and federal experts to ensure we are safeguarding our employees while still carrying out meaningful work. Our safety record is highlighted by the fact that we have had zero lost-time incidents (LTIs) in the past decade.”
Final results from Donlin Gold’s 2020 Drill Program demonstrated higher drilled grade-thickness than predicted by previous modeling.
The 2021 season will focus on further testing orebody continuity and structural controls of mineralization and potentially geotechnical data collection and analysis. This season’s results will be incorporated into the geological model, which could be used to update Donlin Gold’s feasibility study.
The activities of the 2021 drill program include four drills operating from early May through September. The project is also undertaking several camp facility improvements. The team at Donlin Gold will continue to update Y-K communities on its plans and welcomes any additional requests for information.
About Donlin Gold LLC
Donlin Gold LLC is owned by NOVAGOLD Resources Alaska Inc., a subsidiary of NOVAGOLD RESOURCES Inc. (“NOVAGOLD”), and Barrick Gold U.S. Inc., a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”). Donlin Gold is working with NOVAGOLD, Barrick and Alaska Native landowners, The Kuskokwim Corporation and Calista Corporation, to build a gold mining project near Donlin Creek in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region of western Alaska. For more information, visit donlingold.com.
