Amplifying the Clearance Effort: Donlin Gold and Allies Gather an Unprecedented Quantity of E-Waste and Rubbish
In the heart of western Alaska, Donlin Gold, a joint venture owned by Barrick Gold Corporation and NOVAGOLD Resources Inc., spearheaded a significant waste collection initiative in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region. This project, known as the 2023 Backhaul Project, was not a solo endeavour; several partners and sponsors, including the Native Village of Napaimute, Delta Backhaul Company, Association of Village Council Presidents, City of Bethel, Ryan Air, Grant Aviation, Fox Air, Alaska Commercial Company, Central Recycling Services, and tribal administrators, played a crucial role in its success.
The project aimed to collect and dispose of waste that is typically unfit for rural landfills, such as electronics, batteries, used oil, and more. These materials, if left unattended, can lead to water contamination and pose a threat to the local environment.
Donlin Gold, in partnership with Delta Backhaul Company, tribal entities, and community organizations, managed to collect approximately 235,000 pounds of waste, an increase of 100,000 pounds from the previous year. The initiative took on three additional collection opportunities this year: a fish camp cleanup, Yukon River household hazardous waste backhaul, and Kuskokwim appliance backhaul.
The fish camp cleanup project, in collaboration with the Native Village of Napaimute, collected four, 20-foot containers of unwanted materials from nearby fish camps. Hundreds of fluorescent light bulbs were collected at cleanup events held by Donlin Gold and its partners this summer. Hundreds of pounds of items were collected at cleanup events around the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta region.
Along the Kuskokwim River, the program received 449 appliances, equal to 103,550 pounds, from Tuntutuliak, Napakiak, Napaskiak, Kwethluk, and Akiachak. Between three Yukon River villages - Marshall, Pilot Station, and Pitkas Point - 17,200 pounds of e-waste, fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries were retrieved. The Backhaul Project hosted a collection event in Bethel, gathering approximately 12,500 pounds of electronic waste.
After collection, the materials were packaged and barged to Anchorage for disposal or recycling, with some materials being shipped to Seattle for further recycling.
Colleen Laraux, Donlin Gold Community Relations Coordinator, emphasised that the project is about being a good neighbour and taking care of each other. She stated that ensuring sustainability and prosperity in the region, and being a good steward extends beyond the project site to include the surrounding region and the people connected to the land.
Dan Gillikin, environmental director for the Native Village of Napaimute, expressed his satisfaction with the success of the fish camp/remote site Backhaul Project in the Middle Kuskokokwim. He stated that the previous certainty about the project's success was uncertain, but now he has no doubt about its value based on the volume of materials collected.
For more information about Donlin Gold and its initiatives, visit donlingold.com.
