DISCOVER
THE PROJECT
Donlin Gold is a proposed open pit gold mine located in the Yukon–Kuskokwim region of Southwest Alaska, on lands owned and selected for development by Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation. With an estimated 40 million ounces of gold 1, it is one of the largest development-stage gold deposits in the world.
Overview
Donlin Gold sits within the Kuskokwim Gold Belt, one of Alaska’s most significant mineral-producing regions. The deposit contains an estimated 40 million ounces of gold 1, making it one of the largest development-stage gold deposits in the world.
At full production, the mine is projected to yield an average of approximately 1.3 million ounces per year1 in first full 10 years of operation, and then 1.1 M oz/yr within 27-year mine life.
The Deposit
~40 M
OZ of Gold1
~27 Yr
Projected Mine Life
~1.3 M
oz per year annually
current phase:
Permits & Approvals
The project is advancing through permitting and engineering, with key federal approvals in place and additional state permits in progress.2
The Land
Long-Standing Relationships,
Founded in Collaboration & Trust
Calista and TKC are more than just stakeholders. They’re landowners with enforceable agreements, a direct share of the returns, and a seat at the table for every major decision.
The land Donlin Gold sits on is privately owned by two Alaska Native corporations — Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC). Calista was founded by Yukon-Kuskokwim region village leaders, and selected this land specifically for resource development through the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971.
Both corporations have formal agreements with Donlin Gold that include contractual hiring preferences for their shareholders, royalty payments, scholarship contributions, and direct involvement in annual project planning. TKC holds an exclusive contract for the upriver port site and oversight rights during closure.
Timeline
Roadmap
Development follows a phased lifecycle. Each phase is subject to regulatory review and environmental oversight.
Engineering & Permitting
ONGOING
Advanced permitting, project design, and environmental studies.
Construction & Permittin
~3-4 YEARS
Up to 3,000 jobs and $1.7 billion
in projected payroll.
Operations & Operations
27+ YEARS
Up to 800 long-term jobs and
$118 million in estimated annual payroll.1
Closure & Monitoring ….
50+ YEARS
Active reclamation, monitoring, and environmental stewardship.
Built From the Ground Up
Donlin Gold is located in a remote region of Alaska allowing for a fully customized, purpose-built operation tailored to long-term success.
Two port facilities: one downriver at Bethel, one upriver at Jungjuk
A 30-mile access road connecting the Jungjuk port to the mine site
On-site power generation
A 316-mile buried natural gas pipeline for energy supply
A private airstrip
On-site housing for the workforce
Environment
Shaped by the Land, Guided by Stewardship
Environmental planning at Donlin Gold began long before permits were ever considered. With more than 20 years of comprehensive environmental studies—including water quality, fisheries, wildlife, air quality, and wetlands—the project has been shaped by a deep understanding of the region.
Water management is central to how the site is designed and operated. All water on site is collected, treated, and reused. A dedicated water treatment plant is designed to meet Alaska’s most stringent water quality standards, and environmental monitoring occurs throughout construction, operations, and closure.
How It Works
Donlin Gold is an open pit mine, meaning gold-bearing ore is extracted from the surface rather than underground tunnels.
Gold recovery at Donlin Gold follows a defined, multi-stage process:
➔
Mining
Ore is mined from the open pit
➔
Grinding
Crushing and grinding reduce material to fine particles
➔
Flotation
Flotation separates gold-bearing minerals from surrounding rock
➔
Pressure Oxidation
Pressure oxidation prepares the material for gold recovery
➔
Refining
Gold is extracted and refined into doré bars
Careers
Jobs & Economic Impact
Up To
3,000
Construction Jobs
Up To
800
long term operational jobs
Donlin Gold is projected to be one of the largest private employers in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region.
Construction alone is expected to generate up to 3,000 jobs over three to four years. Once operational, the mine is expected to support up to 800 jobs for 27 or more years, with an estimated $118 million in annual payroll.
Hiring preference is contractually guaranteed for Calista and TKC shareholders. The rotational work schedule is specifically designed to allow workers to live at home and continue subsistence and traditional ways of life between shifts.
Leadership
Project Connections
The project maintains active outreach with over 60 communities across the region and along the pipeline route.
Fluent Yup’ik speakers are on staff to participate in local discussions, and project materials are available in both English and Yup’ik.
INVESTED IN COMMUNITY
Invested in the Community
Donlin Gold’s relationship with the Yukon-Kuskokwim region goes beyond the mine site.
Over 1 million dollars is invested annually in the region on initiatives that span education, economic development, cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and health, safety, and wellness.
Our partnerships range from youth-focused organizations to search and rescue groups, as well as programs that strengthen community resilience and support local priorities.
Closure
What Comes After
Closure is at the forefront of Donlin Gold. It is designed into the project from day one. Concurrent reclamation work begins during operations, not at the end.
Facilities are removed and land is recontoured
Disturbed areas are stabilized, covered, and revegetated
Water treatment continues long after operations end
The site is actively monitored for 50 or more years post-closure
Financial assurance covering the full cost of reclamation and water treatment is required before operations even begin
The open pit will gradually fill with water over approximately 50 years. Once full, water is treated to meet Alaska water quality standards before any discharge, if needed.
About Donlin
Frequently Asked Questions
The project contains approximately 40 million ounces of gold.
The current plan estimates a mine life of approximately 27 years.
An open pit gold mine with on-site ore processing and supporting infrastructure.
Footnotes
(1) Donlin Gold data is based on the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (effective November 30, 2025) and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (dated November 30, 2025). The 40 Moz figure refers to measured and indicated mineral resources inclusive of mineral resources on a 100% basis, with 60% attributable to NOVAGOLD (23.99 Moz). Donlin Gold proven and probable reserves are approximately 19.68 Moz grading 2.02 g/t attributable to NOVAGOLD (32.80 Moz on a 100% basis) and measured and indicated resources, exclusive of reserves, of approximately 5.50 Moz grading 1.32 g/t attributable to NOVAGOLD (7.49 Moz on a 100% basis).
(2) Key federal permits remain subject to ongoing permit litigation and administrative appeals. Please refer to public regulatory disclosures for additional status details regarding active legal proceedings.
Source: Donlin Gold Project NI 43-101 Technical Report titled NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (effective November 30, 2025) and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA (November 30, 2025). Copies of both reports referenced above are available here as well as at SEDAR+ or EDGAR.
Technical Reports and Qualified Persons
The documents referenced below provide supporting technical information for the Donlin Gold project.
Engineering Approval: Paul Chilson, P.E., who is the Manager, Mine Engineering for NOVAGOLD and a “qualified person” under NI 43-101, has approved the scientific and technical information contained on this website.
Project: Donlin Gold
Qualified Persons: Edwin Peralta, PE, Henry Kim, P. Geo., Alan Drake, P.L. Eng, Paul Baluch, P. Eng., Jennifer Pretorius, P. Geo, Paul Dockweiler, P. Geo, Rick Sisson, PE “NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA” prepared by Wood Group USA Inc. (“Wood”) and Geosyntec Consultants International, Inc. (“Geosyntec”), effective November 30, 2025. “S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary on the Donlin Gold Project, Alaska, USA” prepared by Wood and Geosyntec, November 30, 2025.