Partners
Partners
Collaborating with our Partners and Stakeholders
NOVAGOLD recognizes the value of strong partnerships at its projects, both with local communities and at the operating level. As a development-stage company, we acknowledge the need for partnerships and collaboration to achieve our goal of becoming a gold producer.
Acceptance and support for mining projects must be earned. Donlin Gold approached local communities before beginning exploration work, informing them of our interests and plans as well as soliciting feedback. The Company seeks to bring tangible, long-lasting benefits to all of its community partners in the form of training and employment opportunities, service business contracts, and participation agreements that ensure local communities benefit financially and socially as the project advances.
Our partners understand that these benefits will extend for generations well beyond when mining will end.
The Calista Corporation (Calista) is one of thirteen Native regional corporations established under the 1971 Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA). Under ANCSA, the Native corporations were provided with $962.5 million and the right to select 44 million acres of land. Calista selected mineral rights at Donlin Gold because of its known gold potential. A mineral lease to 49,100 acres (19,900 hectares) of Calista mineral lands grants Donlin Gold the right to develop the deposit and provides Calista with royalties, shareholder employment opportunities, scholarships and preferential contract considerations for supplier companies owned by Calista shareholders.
The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC) is an entity that was formed in 1977 by ten ANCSA village corporations located along the middle region of the Kuskokwim River. TKC is the owner of the surface rights for most of the project lands. Donlin Gold LLC operates under a long term surface use agreement with TKC which was updated in 2014 to coincide with the project’s expected mine life as well as with the length of the Calista mining lease.
This is a true 50/50 partnership, with each company bringing its strengths and expertise to the table. We also share like-minded values with an emphasis on strong sustainability and community engagement principles. Working together, each co-owner brings different and complementary skills to the project.
At the end of 2007, NOVAGOLD Resources Alaska Inc., a subsidiary of NOVAGOLD, and Barrick Gold US Inc., a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corporation, formed Donlin Gold LLC to oversee development of the Donlin Gold project. Donlin Gold is owned equally by both partners, with full participation by both companies on all aspects of project development. Barrick is one of the world’s largest gold mining companies, bringing project development, construction, and operations experience to the project. Like NOVAGOLD, Barrick is committed to upholding the highest environmental and social standards at its projects, and shares NOVAGOLD’s commitments to the Calista Corporation, The Kuskokwim Corporation, and other community stakeholders.