Tribes Sue to Stop Construction of Massive Gold Mine in Alaska

The US Army Corps of Engineers unlawfully authorized the development of a gold mine that will pollute Alaskan Natives’ lands and waters, indigenous communities alleged in a federal lawsuit.

Orutsararmiut Native Council, Tuluksak Native Community, and Organized Village of Kwethluk claimed that the Donlin Gold Mine project will harm the Kuskokwim River and its surrounding lands and waters, which the tribes have relied on for food, drinking water, ceremonies, and culture for centuries.

Donlin is owned by two Canadian mining companies, Barrick Gold Corp. and NOVAGOLD.

The project would involve building a 316-mile natural gas pipeline with hundreds of steam ...