Chief Michael Sam and Governor Michael Dunleavy at the Manh Choh Groundbreaking event on August 29.
General Manager Message
As we make our way into fourth quarter, I am delighted to share with you the remarkable strides we have made in our pursuit of excellence in our mission to deliver value through responsible mining. It brings me great pleasure to inform you that we are not only on track but are poised to exceed our gold production budget for this year. The dedication and determination of our exceptional team, coupled with our unwavering commitment to safety and operational efficiency, have propelled us to this point of success.
In addition to our commendable achievements in safe production, I am thrilled to announce that on Aug. 29, we successfully accomplished the grand opening of the Manh Choh mine. This venture represents a new chapter in our journey and holds the promise of further enriching our Kinross Alaska mining portfolio towards being a Tier 1 producer, producing more than 500,000 gold ounces a year. The Manh Choh mine has been meticulously designed to adhere to the same high standards of safety, sustainability and technological innovation that are synonymous with Fort Knox. We firmly believe that this expansion will not only fortify our position as an industry leader but also create new opportunities for growth and collaboration within our community.
None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the steadfast support of our employees, partners and the community at-large. As we forge ahead into the future, we remain dedicated to upholding our core values and maintaining the highest levels of corporate responsibility. Our commitment to health and safety, environmental stewardship, employee well-being and community engagement will continue to be at the heart of everything we do.
In closing, I want to express my profound gratitude to each and every one of you who has contributed to our success. With our sights set on surpassing our budget production targets for the year, accomplishing the 9-million-ounce milestone at Fort Knox, successful transition from project to operations at Manh Choh, 2023 is shaping up to be a year of successfully “doing what we said we would do.”
Together, let us continue to shine brightly on the horizon of the mining industry.
Thank you.
Terence Watungwa
Vice President & General Manager, Kinross Alaska
Manh Choh Groundbreaking
Executives from Kinross Alaska, Contango Ore, many dignitaries, tribal leaders and industry professionals gathered August 29 to celebrate the groundbreaking of the long-awaited Manh Choh site.
As guests arrived, they claimed a spot on the motor coaches for the one-hour ride to the top of the mine site. Guests enjoyed Alaska-themed snack boxes as well as chilled water in reusable, glass, branded water bottles. Guests were pleasantly surprised how scenic the drive was while they chatted with one another on the way up.
Once at the top, guests unloaded to partake in the groundbreaking ceremony. After opening remarks, an elder’s blessing was performed. Speakers at the event included: Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Tetlin Chief Michael Sam, Contango Ore’s Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, as well as Kinross’ Paul Rollison, Terence Watungwa and Anna Atchison.
“Manh Choh is Kinross’ first project on tribal land,” said Watungwa. “From the start, we’ve been focused on doing it right for the people and for the land.”
The event ended with a symbolic groundbreaking where leaders were posed with golden shovels to commemorate the milestone.
A luncheon followed at the Kinross Manh Choh campus in Tok where guests could mingle, listen to Alaska Native fiddlers and score some branded gear.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: What are they and why do they matter?
By Kayla Pareja
Like most people, I knew little about diversity, equity and inclusion. What do they really mean and what are the real benefits to having them in the workplace? With this article, I hope to shed some light on what I have learned while researching diversity, equity and inclusion.
First, diversity is simply what makes us different from one another. It’s as simple as that – race, gender, bald, not bald, teeth, some teeth or no teeth at all. Our experiences also make us different, like whether one served in the military – or if you grew up on a homestead. Not to mention life experiences like getting married and having kids or having none. Our abilities and conditions make us different as well – maybe you’re missing a hand or toes. Maybe you have ADHD or are colorblind. The point is that there are so many things that make us diverse. As Stephen Covey once said, “Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” We all have unique perspectives on things due to our differences and we can see what others may look over.
“Equity means everyone is provided with what they need to succeed.” – RISE
That is the best definition for equity because with a diverse group of people, we all have different needs and are at different levels of means so equity looks different to each of us. Throughout our careers, life events happen. With those events, equity can lead the path to employee retention. A wonderful life event can mean starting a family, equity means being able to use paternity or maternity leave once a baby is born. Or being given the opportunity to work remotely so that you can spend more time at home. People who are on prescription medications can benefit from equity when testing positive on a drug test by having their sample sent for further testing. Flexible schedules can be given to those taking care of sick loved ones or for taking care of themselves. Equity varies in what it looks like but it’s because we all have our unique needs.
In my findings, inclusion is how included everyone is. What is the benefit of having all these unique perspectives if their voices are unheard or silenced? To have true inclusion, people need to feel like their voices are heard. As leaders we need to maintain trust with employees, following up and following through are important aspects to make sure everyone feels like they are valued in our team. When we have a culture of inclusion, we will achieve our highest potential together.
The real benefits of diversity, equity and inclusion are good for business, but good for morale as well. Diversity gives a wide range of perspectives and experience for better problem-solving skills, looking ahead for problems and opportunities for development. Equity ensures that the high performers stay and grow with the company. Inclusion leads to more engagement and commitment to organizations because employees feel like they are truly a part of a team and want to help it grow. More benefits include higher performance, “the greater the representation of gender diversity, the higher likelihood of outperformance” (McKinsey). Companies that are diverse compared to those who are not can outperform them by double. Diversity, equity and inclusion lead the pathway to higher employee satisfaction, retention, engagement and performance. These are great goals that can be achieved to benefit the people and the business as whole. Growing together to reach our highest potential.
What is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I)? | McKinsey
https://risetowin.org/what-we-do/educate/resource-module/equality-vs-equity/index.html
UAF Mill Program Tour
On August 2, managers from Ore Processing hosted a tour for the UAF Mill Operations Program graduates. This is a 16-week program, with 14 being in the classroom and two being in the field doing site visits, which prepares students for a career as a mill operator. Graduates receive a mill operations occupational endorsement, earn the MSHA Part 48 Surface New Miner safety certification and even job interview opportunities.
Hunter Propsom, Ore Processing Manager, and Sarah Ingram, Ore Processing Tech Manager, led the group through the mill control room where they explained the flow sheet to them for the mill and heap leach. Sarah said there was “great engagement and questions from the group.” Next, their tour covered the grind floor, pre-leach thickener, leach/CIP, detox, CIC plants, carbon strip and the lab. The group stopped along the way for questions and spent around three hours total out in the field.
Three of the students had already applied for the open mill operator position and Hunter and Sarah will be setting up interviews soon.
Brian Ellingson is the Program Coordinator and Associate Professor at UAF’s Community and Technical College and Hunter has worked with Brian since 2017.
“Over the last six years we’ve collaborated on the Mill Operations certificate program that he developed for the school and ultimately the mines in Alaska.” said Hunter. “With the continued efforts from Brian and the UAF organization, I hope to see the continuation of new miners being developed and brought into the workforce.”
Moose Hunting
The Athabascan people have hunted moose for thousands of years and it is among the most important foods in their culture. Not just to fill the freezer, but to connect to the land and to teach the younger generation how to do the same. Hunting is an essential way for families to provide meat for their survival through the winter as well as reconnecting with the cultural importance of relationships with the land and animals.
Traditionally, when a moose is harvested, every part is used. The skin is used to make gloves, clothing and ornamental jewelry. Moose tongue, heart and bone marrow are a delicacy, bones are given to the dogs and odds and ends can be used as bait to trap other animals or put back into the garden as compost. The most important part of a traditional moose hunt was harvesting the tallow from the moose. Interior Alaska isn’t home to many fatty animals like the coastal regions have, so for the Athabascan people, harvesting the fat and rendering tallow was extremely important for their livelihood.
While Athabascans were the first, now many Alaskans enjoy a good moose hunt in the Fall. According to the Department of Fish and Game, in the 2022 season over 31,000 people went hunting!
Here are some tips to remember:
- Bring a buddy
- Be aware of others
- Stay in designated areas
- Be courteous
- Be sure of your target
Sources:
Graduation Celebration
The village of Tetlin had six high school graduates this year and the Manh Choh team was excited to see their next steps. Manh Choh values the community members and all their achievements.
The graduates were invited to a special luncheon up at the campus, where they each were awarded a new laptop and a gold pan award to mark their achievement. Congratulations to Cody Charlie, Daniel Maynard, Jr., Illona (Illy) Debler, Peter Mark, Raymond Titus and Christian Albert.
Career Day at Fairbanks Children’s Museum
August 20 marked the 5th Annual Fairbanks Children’s Museum’s Career Day. The mission of the museum is to “inspire and connect families through discovery and the power of play.” Career Day is a chance for children to learn about jobs in our community from the people who do them in an interactive, fun environment. Human Resource team members were in attendance to educate kids about all the different job opportunities in mining. They had children’s hardhats, crayons and mining coloring books to teach kids about the many different mining careers at Fort Knox! We look forward to returning next year, too!
MEM Housekeeping Transformation
By Tyson Waligorski
A clean shop is of utmost importance for several reasons, with safety being the foremost concern. A clutter-free environment ensures that employees can move around freely without the risk of tripping over objects or slipping on spilled liquids. In addition, a clean shop reduces the likelihood of accidents caused by clutter and obstructions, as regular maintenance and cleaning can help identify and fix any potential issues before they become hazards. By prioritizing cleanliness, we can minimize the chances of workplace injuries, creating a safe and secure environment for everyone involved.
Another vital aspect of a clean shop is the aesthetic appeal it offers to our employees. A well-maintained appearance gives the impression that the business values professionalism, attention to detail and quality. Moreover, a clean shop sends a message that we are committed to maintaining high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, which can enhance our reputation in the long run.
Lastly, maintaining a clean shop ensures efficient operations throughout the shop. When tools, equipment and inventory are properly organized and easily accessible, employees can work more efficiently, reducing downtime and improving overall productivity. Additionally, an organized shop improves inventory management, making it easier to track stock levels, identify any deficits and restock items as necessary. By keeping the shop clean and organized, businesses can streamline their operations, saving time and resources that can be better allocated towards the core aspects of their operations.
In summary, a clean shop is vital for various reasons. It promotes safety by minimizing potential hazards, enhances the aesthetic appeal to employees and improves operational efficiency through organization. By prioritizing cleanliness, we can foster a positive and secure environment and maximize our productivity and success.
Corporate Leadership Visits Fort Knox
On August 30, Fort Knox got a visit from Kathleen Grandy, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, and Maria Rodmell, Vice President of Human Resource Operations. Here to promote and support new Senior Leadership Training in addition to other Human Resource initiatives, Maria and Kathleen were able to witness a gold pour and get out in the field in a couple of haul trucks!
Deena Gridley, an Equipment Operator from Mine Operations Crew 2, took Maria out into the pit in HT483. Deena has been with Fort Knox since November of 2016 and has progressed to a Senior Haul Truck Operator with an excellent safety record.
Kathleen hitched a ride on HT494 with Shonnalee Follet, also an experienced Operator on Crew 2. Shonnalee began employment with Fort Knox in 2015. She is currently qualified to operate all haul trucks, water trucks, RTDs, graders and numerous auxiliary equipment.
Thank you Shonnalee and Deena!
Community Investments & Outreach
Fairbanks Curling Club
Every September the Curling Club of Fairbanks holds the Army/Air Force Spiel where they partner with Ft. Wainwright and Eielson Air Force base to provide a curling experience for our military residents and their families. This event helps to introduce the sport of curling to the greater community as well as welcome any new members of the military to Fairbanks. We are excited to partner with the Fairbanks Curling Club this year and to show our support for our local troops and their families.
Guys Read – Gals Read Inc.
An exciting program that will continue this school year is Guys Read – Gals Read Inc. The mission of the program is to stimulate interest in reading in children by making it fun! They achieve this by having volunteers read exciting books to 4th graders during their lunchtime. The goal is to show the kids that reading is “cool” as shown by the role models volunteering in their classrooms around the school district. Kinross Fort Knox will help fund the books purchased for this program, as well as provide extra books to be donated to each school library.
Alaska Songbird Institute
Do you remember taking field trips to Creamer’s Field every year as a kid? Do you walk through Creamer’s Field and wonder what event they are having? Well, that would be the Alaska Songbird Institute. They support Creamer’s Field Migration Station, which is the northernmost bird banding station in North America. They research migratory birds and their patterns, provide nearly 80 field trips a year to our local youth and offer teen mentorship programs, internships and even apprenticeships. All of these programs offered through Alaska Songbird Institute give young people a chance to make valuable, authentic contributions to wildlife research and management. This year Kinross Fort Knox is donating to the institute to help promote education as well as environmental stewardship.
Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High School
Fort Knox donated to the Ben Eielson Jr/Sr High School athletics department to help fund travel for away games as the buses are each team’s responsibility. This will eliminate the strain of children wanting to get involved in sports but not having the financial ability.
Hockey Club Fairbanks — 19U Girls Hockey
As we know hockey is a very popular sport in Alaska, and locally we have a large organization supporting our youth. The mission of Hockey Club Fairbanks is to offer the best youth hockey experience in Alaska for all players (and their families) at all levels and increase player and community participation in the sport. This year Fort Knox donated to Hockey Club Fairbanks for the purchase of new jerseys for 19U Girls Hockey.
Boys and Girls Club — Fairbanks
Boys and Girls Club of Alaska has 23 clubhouses in 21 communities across Alaska and offers programs about academic success, character and leadership, as well as healthy lifestyles. The Boys and Girls Club of Fairbanks, located in the historic Fairbanks city hall, helps many underprivileged families in our area by giving youth a place where they can safely learn new skills, play sports, find mentorship with volunteers and create new friendships. To help support the youth of Fairbanks, Fort Knox made a donation to help purchase a new computer lab.
Helping Hands Food Bank
The Tok area food bank recently received a donation from Manh Choh that will be used to purchase fresh items such as eggs, fruit and vegetables. The main goal of the food bank is to help those who struggle with food insecurity. Currently, Helping Hands Food Bank serves 75-90 families or around 190 individuals via food boxes. These boxes are put together by volunteers and distributed monthly.
Tok Volunteer Fire Department
As an essential service in the Tok community, we were happy to donate funds that will assist our local volunteer fire department. They will use the funds to purchase heating oil, electricity and pay the phone lines to cover the pager system, which is an integral part of emergency service alerting. The fire department is staffed on a volunteer basis and is available to keep the community safe. Manh Choh is extremely proud to partner with the fire department.
Delta Lions Club
Manh Choh is excited to continue its partnership with the Delta Lions Club. The club’s main purpose is sight conservation, providing eye care-related services and collecting used eyeglasses for redistribution. This group is also involved in multiple community-wide activities, year-round. The funds from this donation will go towards Project Christmas, which is an annual activity that benefits Delta and surrounding communities during the Christmas season.
NIT Graduation
Five local residents from Tetlin, Northway, Mentasta and Tok completed a 320-hour Northern Industrial Training (NIT) Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanics program on Sept. 7, 2023. A graduation ceremony and luncheon were held at the Manh Choh campus to celebrate their completion of the program. The training took place in both Tok and Palmer and was a partnership between Kinross, NIT, Tanana Chiefs, UAF Interior Campus, Tok Center, Kiewit and Black Gold Transport. We are so excited for all the graduates and wish them the best in their future careers in maintenance.
Youth Safety Day
Last month, we partnered with Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Management and Volunteers in Policing to host the Emergency Preparedness & Youth Safety Day at the Carlson Center. Every year Fort Knox gives away hundreds of helmets to keep our Fairbanks youth safe. This year we had a temporary tattoo booth and provided lunch for 200 kids. There were over 600 attendees and many interactive booths to keep everyone busy. Volunteers in Policing put on the largest rodeo to date which made a lot of kids happy! Thank you to all the numerous volunteers. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Employee Recipe: Taco Soup
By Sara Sandbo
Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients for the Taco Seasoning
(equivalent to a 1-ounce packet)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder, to taste
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼t easpoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
Ingredients for the soup
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large yellow or red onion, finely chopped, plus more for serving
- Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 pound ground beef, (or pork, turkey or chicken)
- 1 to 2 jalapeños, finely chopped, to taste, plus more for serving
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 (4-ounce) cans diced green chiles (see Tip)
- 1 (15-ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 2 (15-ounce) cans diced fire-roasted tomatoes
- 2½ cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, or water
- 2 cups frozen corn
- Handful cilantro leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped, plus more for serving
- Chopped avocado, pickled red onion, grated Cheddar, pickled jalapeños, sour cream, tortilla chips and/or lime wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
Step 1
If making your own taco seasoning: Mix the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and dried oregano in a small bowl. Set aside.
Step 2
Make the soup: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt, reduce the heat to medium-low, stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Step 3
Increase the heat to medium, add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and brown until all the pink is gone, about 5 minutes. Season with salt (about 1 teaspoon) and black pepper. Add the jalapeño and the taco seasoning and stir for 1 minute. Push the meat to the sides of the pan, making a little space in the center, and add the tomato paste. Cook to deepen its color, about 1 minute, then stir everything together.
Step 4
Add the green chiles and their liquid, and the pinto and black beans. Season with salt (about 2 teaspoons). Stir in the tomatoes and their juices, and the broth. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to medium-low and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have melded, about 20 minutes.
Step 5
Taste for seasoning, adding salt, pepper and chili powder, if desired. Stir in the frozen corn and cilantro. Cover and simmer until the corn has heated through, about 10 minutes. Serve with toppings of choice. Thin out with stock or water when reheating, if necessary.
TIP
If your fire-roasted tomatoes include green chiles, omit the 2 cans of green chiles.
Welcome to Kinross Alaska
From June to September
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Aaron Bostic | Blaster |
| Richard Stickle | Mine Engineer |
| Wyatt Vrana | Mine Engineer |
| Katrinna Bachand | Accounting Tech |
| Jacob Teague | Buyer |
| Janet Zweegman | Mill Operator |
| Justin Michel | Mill Operator |
| Christopher Lloyd | Mill Operator |
| Caleb Gruben-Williams | MEM Mechanic |
| Michael Burns | MEM Laborer |
| Joshua Freeman | MEM Laborer |
| Stefan Dumig | Warehouse Tech |
| Shannon Jimmie | Assay/Fire Tech |
| Ryan Zeisel | Equipment Operator |
| Drake Reinhart | Equipment Operator |
| Ryan Bjorklund | Equipment Operator |
| Jacob Lawrence | Equipment Operator |
| Jonathan Rebholz | Equipment Operator |
| Brian Gardener | Equipment Operator |
| Austin Martin | Equipment Operator |
| Elizabeth Henderson | Equipment Operator |
| Nathaniel Henderson | Equipment Operator |
| Morgan Trosper | Equipment Operator |
| Anthony Mastriano | Equipment Operator |
| Jesse Dunshie | Environmental Planner |
| Amanda Ellis | HR Senior Generalist |
| Jacob Brown | Geology Manager MC |
| Briar Gonie | Geologist MC |
| Alyssa Nelson | Surveyor MC |
| Noah Griffith | Fuel/Lube Mechanic |
| Greg Garcia | Heap Leach Laborer |
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