RDC Member Comment Letter:
Donlin Gold Project EIS Scoping

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March 29, 2013

At least one set (of many) great benefits of developing a large mine in a region where there has never been one before is the absolute necessity of developing supporting infrastructure that not only enables the mine to function, but also benefits the populace of the area. Advancing the Donlin Gold Project into the mining phase will, according to the proposal, necessitate the building of a 313-mile buried natural gas pipeline, a power plant, barge landings, a road and an airstrip. The area of the proposed Donlin Mine is very remote, and the development of such mine-related infrastructure would be very welcome in that part of Alaska by those who live there. Not only that, but the infrastructure would continue to benefit the people of that area long past the closure of the mine.

The area of the proposed Donlin Mine, partially because of its remoteness, has a high suicide rate, especially among the youth. Having a large mine that provides training for operators and workers, provides good jobs that pay well, and develops expertise among the youth there will help give those workers a needed sense of purpose in their lives that will help mitigate the suicide rates. After the youth have some mining experience, they will be able to expand their personal horizons and get good jobs elsewhere, if they so desire. The economic, infrastructure, and social benefits to the surrounding population in the area of a large, remote mine are manifold.

Carolyn Stevens

Geologist/Petrographer
Stevens Exploration Mgmt. Corp.