Photo Courtesy Kinross Fort Knox GM Jeremy Brans and Tetlin Chief Michael Sam, socially distanced, just after Tetlin selected the new name of the project.
Kinross Fort Knox reaches milestone with Manh Choh
Kinross Fort Knox recently reached a significant mile - stone at its newest project in Alaska, renaming it Manh Choh (formerly Peak Gold), after close consultation with the local Upper Tanana Athabascan Village of Tetlin. The project is situated within a mineral lease with the Village. The name Manh Choh was chosen by the Village of Tetlin Chief, Michael Sam, and the tribal council and means “Big Lake” in the Upper Tanana Athabascan language, a ref- erence to the nearby Tetlin Lake, a site of high cultural significance to the local community. The two words flow together quickly, almost as if they were one, and there is an emphasis on ‘oh’ (‘mon-CHO’). Renaming the project with landowners marks an im- portant milestone in the Kinross relationship with the community and is a key symbol of the company’s approach in developing the project, as a priority to build a transparent and strong partnership based on trust and mutual respect. In September, Kinross acquired a 70% interest in this high-quality project, located approximately 250 miles
southeast of the Kinross Fort Knox mine. The company plans to process ore from Manh Choh at Fort Knox and utilize the existing mill and infrastructure to benefit both the project and the mine. As such, the project plan removes the need to construct a tailings facility, mill and other in- frastructure, and results in a smaller project footprint. Kinross has established a good working relationship the Village as it commenced project development, and they have indicated support for the project plan. “We look forward to the safe and responsible develop- ment of the project and the positive benefits it is expected to generate for our community,” said Tetlin Chief Michael Sam. “We also look forward to further building a relation- ship with Kinross, a company with a strong track record in Alaska.” Fort Knox’s 27-year history of responsible mining is a testament to Kinross’s approach to project development and community relations. The Manh Choh project is expected to commence pro- duction in 2024.
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The Alaska Miner
April 2021
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