Donlin Gold Mine Development Paused by Court Order

Developers of the controversial Donlin Gold mine in Western Alaska have been ordered to halt some construction activities due to permit deficiencies identified by a federal judge. U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason mandated that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Bureau of Land Management reassess the potential for catastrophic dam failures associated with the mine’s proposed 471-foot dam, critical for containing tailings.

The ruling follows a lawsuit from six tribal governments from the Kuskokwim region, which raised alarms about environmental risks, particularly after previous dam failures, such as the 2014 Mount Polley disaster in British Columbia that released millions of cubic meters of toxic tailings.

In addition to concerns over potential spills, Gleason found that the initial environmental impact statement inadequately addressed risks, calculating only a 2% chance of a dam failure over 20 years while allowing for negligible spill assessments. Her latest order requires a more comprehensive analysis of potential tailings spills prior to any continued construction.

Both the opposing tribal governments and Donlin Gold have publicly embraced the ruling, with tribal representatives expressing hopes that the decision will safeguard local land and resources. Meanwhile, Donlin Gold asserted its commitment to collaborate with federal agencies to rectify the highlighted issues while maintaining its operational permits.

The project remains divisive within the region, balancing the interests of local Indigenous corporations benefiting from potential economic gains against the persistent environmental and cultural concerns voiced by numerous tribal organizations.