Donlin gold mine project still moves forward despite Barrick comments

The $6 billion-plus Donlin Gold mine near the Kuskowkim River west of Anchorage is still moving forward in its preliminary permitting phase despite a statement Thursday by Barrick Gold, one of two partners in the project, that if the construction decision were made "today" it would not be approved.

The actual decision on construction is still several years in the future after final permits are issued, project manager Stan Foo said. In fact, the company filed permit applications Thursday with the U.S, Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Natural Resources.

"We are moving forward in the permitting with the full support of Barrick and NovaGold Resources," the other partner in Donlin Gold, Foo said.

The project is a proposed major gold mine that, if developed, would be one of the largest gold mines in North America. It would also be a significant employer in the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, now one of the more economically-depressed areas of the state.