A sunny day at Manh Choh.
General Manager Message
Frontline Leadership: The Driving Force Behind Our Success
At Kinross Alaska, our success is built on the strength of our people — and it is at the frontline where our culture, strategy and values are reinforced and come to life every day. I want to take a moment to recognize and sincerely thank our frontline supervisors for the exceptional leadership they continue to demonstrate.
Over the past two years, Kinross Alaska has delivered strong results in safe production that have exceeded our budget targets — a remarkable achievement that speaks to the commitment and discipline across our operations. Because of this consistency and accountability, we are earning a reputation as a site that does what we said we would do — a critical marker of reliability in our industry. That trust is built shift by shift, and it is sustained by supervisors who lead with integrity and deliver on commitments.
As we remain on track to deliver another strong year, it’s important to recognize the critical role our supervisors have played in making this happen. They are the daily stewards of our culture, translating strategic priorities into action and setting the tone for safety, performance and teamwork.
We continue to take a long-term, strategic view of our workforce. That’s why we are deepening our investment in the development of our frontline leaders. In addition to our internal training platforms, I’m pleased to share that we will soon be partnering with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to offer structured development programs for supervisors, leading to industry-recognized certifications. This is part of our commitment to growing capability and building a pipeline of strong leaders from within.
Beyond results and capability, our supervisors play a central role in fostering engagement and morale on site. Engaged employees are safer, more productive and more innovative — and that starts with supervisors who lead with clarity, respect and accountability. The workplace culture they create directly influences retention, teamwork and performance outcomes.
Early in my career, I was told that “a mine is only as good as its Shift Supervisor.” That message has stayed with me. Today, seeing what our frontline leaders accomplish every day at Kinross Alaska, I believe it more than ever. You are not just supervisors — you are leaders, culture carriers and enablers of success.
Thank you for your dedication, for leading by example and for the pride you take in making Kinross Alaska a safe and high-performing operation.
Stay safe,
Terence Watungwa
Vice President & General Manager, Kinross Alaska
Interns Spotlight
We’re thrilled to welcome a new group of interns to Fort Knox this summer! These talented individuals are bringing fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and a passion for learning as they gain hands-on experience across our operation. Get to know the faces behind the hard hats and see how they’re contributing to the future of mining in Alaska.
Ryan Werner
- From: Eagle River
- School: UAA
- Favorite car brand: Toyota
- Superpower: Flying
- First job: Walmart Garden Center Associate
- Salmon or halibut? Halibut
- What word describes you? Chill
- Favorite food: Pizza
- Three things to take with you on a desert island: Xbox, root beer and pizza
- Hobby you would like to try: Fly fishing
- Hidden talents: Badminton
- Music: Electronic
- Loves the outdoors, hiking, camping and fishing. Invite me to come on your next adventure!
Nora Harbor
- From: Juneau
- School: AVTECH
- Favorite car brand: Toyota
- Superpower: Talking to animals
- First job: Car wash attendant
- Salmon or halibut? Salmon
- What word describes you? Bubbly
- Favorite food: Thai food
- Three things to take with you on a desert island: Book, stress ball and diet coke
- Hobby you would like to try: Rafting
- Hidden talent: Can scream at 120 decibels
- Music: Alt rock
- Loves to bake, cook and share recipes!
Cadin Doddridge
- From: Juneau
- School: AVTECH
- Favorite car brand: Toyota
- Superpower: Breathing underwater
- First job: Deck hand commercial fishing
- Salmon or halibut? Rockfish
- What word describes you? Charismatic
- Favorite food: Sushi
- Three things to take with you on a desert island: Kayak, fishing pole and a monkey
- Hobby you would like to try: Paragliding
- Hidden talent: Raft guiding
- Music: Alternative
- Always down for an adventure, invite me!
Joshua Daniels
- From: Ninilchik
- School: AVTECH
- Favorite car brand: Dodge
- Superpower: Flying
- First job: Construction
- Salmon or halibut? Halibut
- What word describes you? Thoughtful
- Favorite food: Fried rice
- Three things to take with you on a desert island: Water, pistol and a backpack
- Hobby you would like to try: Sky diving
- Hidden talent: Ping pong
- Music: 80/90’s country
- Loves anything to do with classic cars
Hand Injury Prevention
Pinch Points and Hand Injuries
Our hands power nearly every task we do, which means they’re constantly exposed to danger—especially pinch points. A pinch point is any spot where a body part can be trapped between a moving part and something stationary, and it’s the leading cause of “crushed by” hand and finger injuries. You’ll find these hazards everywhere: during equipment maintenance, while lifting or positioning materials and when hooking up trailers, to name a few. Take a moment to scan your own work area, identify the pinch points and keep your hands clear to stay injury-free.
Safe Guards to Avoid Pinch Points
- Eliminate the hazard by ensuring proper guarding is in place
- Pay attention to where your hands are around any moving parts or any objects that have the potential to move
- Do not place your hands where you cannot see them
- Wear the proper gloves for whatever work task you are completing to reduce the amount of damage to your hands if they do end up in the line of fire
- When working on equipment or machinery, ensure they are properly locked out and tagged out to prevent unexpected start-up
- Properly block any equipment or parts where stored energy could be released
- When working with others, make sure to communicate to let each other know if you are out of the line of fire before moving objects or starting up the equipment
Oftentimes, it is not the obvious pinch points that injure a person, such as a conveyor belt or a piece of moving machinery. Tasks as simple as shutting a truck door can end up with pinch point injury due to a person not paying attention to where their hands are. It is important not to get complacent and monitor where your hands are when you complete any task.
Standard of the Month
§ 56.14112 Construction and maintenance of guards.
- Guards shall be constructed and maintained to:
- Withstand the vibration, shock and wear to which they will be subjected during normal operation; and
- Not create a hazard by their use.
- Guards shall be securely in place while machinery is being operated, except when testing or making adjustments which cannot be performed without removal of the guard.
There is not a PPM for this standard.
Insights: zip ties, snow fencing, etc. don’t cut it.
Step Up for Safety: Choosing the Right Gear for the Job
At Kinross Alaska, we’re proud of our safety culture — and it all starts with the choices we make every day. One of the simplest ways we can protect ourselves, and each other, is by making sure we’re using the right gear for the task at hand.
That includes footwear! While pull-on boots like ExtraTufs are a favorite for their convenience, they’re best suited for wet, muddy environments. When walking on rocky or uneven ground, lace-up boots with good ankle support are the way to go. They offer better stability and help prevent rolled ankles, keeping us on our feet and on the move.
This is just one small example of how thoughtful gear choices can make a big difference. Let’s keep looking out for one another by checking in with our crews, taking a few extra seconds to evaluate conditions and ensuring we have the right tools (and boots) for the job.
Community Investments & Outreach
Heart Walk
June is CPR Awareness Month, and Kinross Alaska sponsored the annual Heart Walk by the American Heart Association.
Did you know that kids as young as nine can learn to do CPR correctly? Make sure you and others in your household know CPR today. Take a few minutes today to learn or refresh your skills — because every day is the right day to learn a life-saving skill.
Learn more here: https://cpr.heart.org/en/
Chena River Run
Kinross Alaska stepped up as an official Finish Line Sponsor for the 2025 Rotary Club of Fairbanks Chena River Run, joining forces with Alaska Airlines to support the community event. The 5 km race, held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, kicked off at 10 a.m., with runners traversing a scenic course from Woodriver Elementary School to the Princess Hotel. As one of the premier running events in Interior Alaska and the opener for the Usibelli Running Series, the Chena River Run brings together local athletes, families and sponsors in support of the Rotary Club’s efforts.
MAPTS Graduates
In April, the Kinross Alaska team had the privilege of attending the UAF MAPTS graduation to celebrate the newest class of skilled workforce graduates!
We were proud to cheer them on as they crossed the stage and shared their experiences. Hearing directly from the students about what they learned, and seeing the equipment they trained on, was a powerful reminder of how programs like MAPTS help prepare Alaskans for rewarding careers in industries like mining.
Thank you to the instructors and staff for giving us a tour of the facility and for continuing to invest in Alaska’s future workforce. Congratulations, graduates — we can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next!
Relay for Life
In June, Kinross Alaska employees and their families came together to walk for a cause close to many hearts — the American Cancer Society of Alaska’s Relay for Life.
Our team showed up in force to honor cancer survivors, remember loved ones and raise awareness for the fight against cancer. It was a powerful reminder that when we come together as a community, we can make a meaningful impact.
NAMI Walks
We went the distance for mental health! On May 17, community members came together for the NAMI Walks Fairbanks 5K walk/run in North Pole to support mental health awareness and advocacy.
The event brought people of all ages together to walk, connect and show support for a stigma-free future.
Kinross Alaska was proud to sponsor this meaningful event, standing with NAMI Fairbanks in their mission to build better lives for individuals and families affected by mental illness.
Thank you to everyone who showed up, stepped out and made a difference.
Youth Safety Day
A huge thank you from us, Volunteers In Policing and the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Operations, to everyone who came out for Youth Safety Day in May! We gave away hundreds of bike helmets, shared endless safety tips and saw so many smiling faces along the way. We’re grateful to our partners, volunteers and local families who helped make this event such a success. It’s always a great day when our community comes together to make safety fun!
Mental Health Land Office Tour
We were proud to welcome the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority team to Fort Knox for a behind-the-scenes tour of our operation.
As a longstanding partner, Fort Knox has contributed more than $26 million to the Trust through operations on Mental Health Trust lands—helping support vital mental health services across Alaska. During the visit, we shared how our commitment to community goes far beyond our gold production.
From championing mental health initiatives in our region to restoring the land we operate on—like the reclamation of Fish Creek Valley and our True North mine—our team is dedicated to doing what’s right for both people and the planet. We also highlighted the many ways we prioritize compliance, stewardship, and long-term sustainability in every aspect of our work.
Thank you to the Trust Land Office for taking the time to visit and see how Kinross Alaska is working to create value that benefits all Alaskans.
Midnight Sun Festival
A big thank you to our community for coming out to the Midnight Sun Festival! We loved connecting with so many neighbors, sharing stories and having great conversations about mining, sustainability and what it means to live in the Golden Heart of Fairbanks.
Thank you Downtown Association of Fairbanks for another great community gathering.
Women Who Weld Tour
This summer, we welcomed 16 women from the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District’s Women in Welding course to the mine for a tour led by Alaska’s Teacher of the Year, Pete Daley!
The students got a firsthand look at how welding fuels the mining industry and even had the chance to meet some of our incredible female welders in action. From hands-on experience in the classroom to real-world inspiration on site, these young women are forging a bright future in the trades.
Trout Unlimited Partnership
We are proud to partner with Trout Unlimited Alaska to offer a day of guided fishing for veterans or active duty members of our armed forces. If that’s you, please apply to join us!
Fourth of July
Manh Choh miners handed out popsicles to help community members beat the heat and to celebrate in cool style!
Hope everyone had a safe and fun Fourth of July weekend!
Employee Recipe: Raspberry Mango Avocado Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 8 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 ripe mango, peeled and sliced
- 1 small ripe avocado, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts or sliced nuts (optional)
Instructions
- In a blender, puree 1/2 cup raspberries, olive oil, vinegar, garlic, salt and pepper until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the salad greens, mango, avocado and onion. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Divide the salad among five plates. Top each serving with the remaining raspberries and sprinkle with nuts, if using.
Welcome to Kinross Alaska
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Caleb Hanlon | MEM Laborer |
| Carmen Ercolino | Mill Operator |
| Barrett McCumby | Environmental Intern |
| Jessalynn Falconburg | Equipment Operator |
| Gilbert Maycumber | HME Mechanic |
| Clint Terrill | Security Officer |
| Colton Guptill | MEM Laborer |
| Tristian Webb | Welder |
| Rylan Werner | Intern |
| Chance Colette | HME Mechanic |
| Lesly Huachez | Senior Tailings Engineer |
| Nora Harbour | Intern E&I |
| Grace Godinez | Intern |
| Kadin Doddridge | Intern E&I |
| Joshua Daniels | Intern |
| Innocent Mugodzeri | Intern Mill Maintenance |
| Derik Johnson | Intern Finance |
| Amanda Bador | Environmental Intern |
| Brian Brown | Equipment Operator |
| Grace Godinez | MEM Intern |
| Eric Kelly | Junior Financial & Planning Analyst |
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