The largest gold mine in both Canada and the world faces fierce opposition from the Yukon-Kuskokwim Tribes, represented by Earthjustice, who is taking the project to court.
The proposed mine site, located near a tributary of the Kuskokwim River in Alaska, would impact a significant area of streams and wetlands. It also includes a 316-mile buried gas pipeline to fuel the site from the Cook Inlet and additional infrastructure like a port, roads, and airstrips. Such changes could disrupt the traditional way of life for Alaska Native people who have lived there for 10,000 years.
The Indigenous Yupik, Cup'ik, and Athabascan people rely heavily on fish like salmon, rainbow smelt, pike, and whitefish, which account for over half of their annual subsistence harvest in the region. These fish are not only a source of sustenance but are also culturally and economically important to the community and the region.
The proposed mine has faced significant backlash, with over a dozen Tribes, the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation, the Association of Village Council Presidents, and the National Congress of American Indians passing formal resolutions opposing the project.
And now, on April 5, 2023, the Tribes have brought a new federal lawsuit against the final environmental impact statement, federal decision, and critical federal permits. Three other lawsuits challenging the mine's state permits and leases in state court are ongoing.
If the legal challenges are successful, the essential licenses and authorizations for the mine would be vacated, and the federal agencies would have to redo the project's environmental impact statement. A win would be more than just noteworthy as the Yukon-Kuskokwim Tribes are fighting to protect their ancestral lands and traditional ways of life from the environmental destruction the proposed mine could bring.
The battle between the mine and the Yukon-Kuskokwim Tribes highlights the ongoing struggle between Indigenous communities and corporations seeking to exploit natural resources. The outcome of this case will have significant implications not just for the people of the Yukon-Kuskokwim region but for Indigenous communities across the globe.
At Element United, we aim to develop practical solutions to address social problems caused by mining. That's why we're creating an Ethical Mining Certification (EMC) program. This certification includes plans to reinvest in sustainable development programs for communities adversely impacted by mining activities.
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