General Manager Message
Celebrating Milestones and Community Partnerships
Dear Fort Knox Team,
I am excited to share some significant updates and celebrate the recent milestones we have achieved together at Fort Knox. Recently, we held an event to commemorate the first gold pour from the Manh Choh mine, a monumental achievement for Kinross Alaska and a testament to our diligence, industriousness and unwavering resolve.
A Day of Celebration and Community
On Monday, July 8, we had the honor of hosting a diverse group of distinguished guests, including Tetlin Chief Michael Sam, the Tetlin Tribal Council, Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom, Kinross CEO Paul Rollinson, our JV Partner Contango led by Rick Van Nieuwenhyse, and representatives from Kiewit and Black Gold Transport. Additionally, members and staff of the state legislature, valued Kinross Alaska employees, trade group representatives and members of the press joined us to celebrate this significant event.
The journey from the groundbreaking ceremony last August to the first gold pour in less than a year is an incredible achievement very much worthy of celebrating. This rapid progress demonstrates our relentless commitment to deliver on the Kinross Alaska key strategic goal of commencing Manh Choh gold production in Q3, 2024.
Acknowledging Our Partners and Land
Manh Choh is Kinross Alaska’s first operation on tribal land, and from the beginning, we have been dedicated to ensuring this project is built on trust and respect for the Tetlin community and the land. We acknowledge the Alaska Native nations on whose ancestral lands our operations reside, and we are grateful for their guidance and partnership.
The first gold bars from Manh Choh are stamped with an eagle, a symbol of the Tetlin Tribe, representing the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of conservation and respect for the land, core principles in Athabascan culture.
Commitment to Local Communities and Workforce Development
At Kinross, we believe responsible mining generates sustainable value in our host communities. We are dedicated to creating job opportunities and providing the necessary skills training to local residents. The Manh Choh team has partnered with the university’s Mining and Training Petroleum Service program and established a mining career track for local high school students, ensuring Alaskans can build their careers within their home communities.
Manh Choh is now the second-largest private employer and source of income in the Southeast Fairbanks Census Area. Our commitment to building a world-class operation with Alaska companies and workers remains steadfast, and we continue to operate safely, prudently and responsibly.
Looking Forward
As we celebrate this milestone, I want to thank each of you for your contributions to the success of this project. Your dedication and hard work have made this achievement possible. Together, with all your incredible support and that of our business partners, we are building a lasting legacy for our communities and setting a high standard for responsible mining operations.
Thank you for your ongoing commitment to excellence, safety and responsible mining. Let’s continue to work together to achieve even greater success in the future. Don’t Stop Believin’.
Warm regards,
Terence Watungwa, Vice President and General Manager, Kinross Alaska
First Gold Pour From Manh Choh
First Gold Pour Brings Huge Thank You to Village of Tetlin
“Last August we met for the groundbreaking of the Manh Choh mine,” Terence Watungwa, Vice President and General Manager of Kinross Alaska, told a star-studded group assembled July 8 at Fort Knox for the first gold pour from Manh Choh.
“Since that ceremony, we’ve gone from groundbreaking to production in less than a year,” Watungwa said. “That is certainly something to celebrate.”
Manh Choh is located near Tok on land owned by the Village of Tetlin, which holds both surface and subsurface rights. Rock from the mine is trucked to Fort Knox, where it is processed in the existing mill, which underwent extensive modifications to handle the new ore.
“Manh Choh is Kinross Alaska’s first operation on tribal land and from the beginning we have been keenly focused on doing it right – for the people and for the land,” Watungwa said. “We wanted to make sure that is was always a trust-based, relationship-focused, partnership with Tetlin.”
“We are treating this as a legacy project where it brings jobs for our people so they don’t need to leave home,” Tetlin Chief Michael Sam told the crowd. Tetlin will also benefit from the royalties its receives from the operation, along with mining roads and infrastructure after mining stops and site reclamation begins.
“Chief Sam, you have always referred to Manh Choh as a legacy for your people and a new opportunity for your youth,” said Kinross CEO Paul Rollinson. “We are committed to you, and we take our role in this project very seriously. To the Tetlin people, thank you for entrusting us. Without you, none of this would be possible.”
“The people at Kinross have done the project right from the beginning,” said Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, CEO of Contange Ore, which owns 30% of the mine. “They have been a great partner to bring this project to the next level with mining and transport and processing.”
Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom said that Manh Choh and the first gold bar reflect Alaska’s commitment to sustainable resource development. “We in Alaska know how to do things so that we keep our lands beautiful and when we’re done, it’s better than when it started,” Dahlstrom said. “We are able to bring those products such as minerals to the world market … it’s essential for jobs and our national security.”
Mary Chowaniec and Peter Serkov, General Manager for a Day
By Rebecca Good
This GM for a Day included Mary Chowaniec, an Equipment Operator, and Peter Serkov, a Mill Operator. During their time, they discussed the possibility of more training opportunities for operators, as well as crew vans and LV’s. Manh Choh ore and the effectiveness of the scraping system belt were topics of discussion for the trio.
One meeting that they found interesting was the GM Deck Skeleton meeting. During that meeting, they discussed topics such as how to communicate the changes in our assets since the last presentation to Toronto in October 2023, messaging growth potential in Alaska and options for higher gold. They also discussed strategies for effective corporate communication, especially with the high complexity we have due to three operating sites integrating and one “new and still learning (Manh Choh).”
Both were extremely thankful for the opportunity.
Mary stated that she enjoyed GM for a Day because, “I got a greater perspective on the daily logistics and business of corporate mining, and how happenings outside the mine have a direct impact on my job. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity and exposure I had that day.” She again thanked Terence for the opportunity.
Peter stated, “I gained lots of insight and knowledge about departments I was previously unfamiliar with. I learned a lot about how things are done at upper management level.” Peter was also very grateful for this experience. Overall, both found this very informative.
Family Days at Fort Knox Mine
Fort Knox, you all outdid yourselves!
I am delighted to share a heartfelt recap of our recent Family Days at Fort Knox Mine, these days truly highlighted the essence of our community. I firmly believe that events like these are crucial in showcasing the importance of family in our lives and work.
The Family Days turned ordinary days into an extraordinary celebration. The excitement was palpable, with children and adults alike eager to explore and participate in the various activities that were lined up.
From guided tours of the mine to interactive exhibits and games, there was something for everyone. Our dedicated volunteers ensured that every aspect of the events ran smoothly, providing a safe and enjoyable environment for all. The laughter of children, the smiles of parents and the camaraderie among colleagues created a vibrant atmosphere that was truly heartwarming.
One of the highlights was the family picnic. It was a beautiful sight to see everyone sharing meals, stories and laughter. The picnic area buzzed with conversations, and it was evident that the bonds within our Fort Knox family are growing stronger. The kids had a blast with the western hats, bandanas, mustaches and the ever-popular bouncy castle.
The significance of Family Days extends beyond just a day of fun. It is a reminder of the vital role that family plays in our lives. At Fort Knox, we recognize that our employees’ families are an integral part of our community. Their support and understanding enable us to achieve great things together. By celebrating Family Days, we honor these relationships and acknowledge the contributions that families make to our success.
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who helped organize these two events and to all the families who attended. Your presence made the days truly special. Let’s continue to cherish and support our families, both at home and at work, as they are the foundation of our strength and resilience.
Thank you for being part of the Fort Knox family. Here’s to many more events that bring us together and celebrate the wonderful community we are building.
Warm regards,
Darla
Head of HR
LOVA Spotlight
Jack Follett, Equipment Operator
Jack’s journey to winning the Living Our Values Award (LOVA) for High Performance Culture is a testament to his unwavering dedication and exceptional work ethic. From the very beginning, Jack approached his work with a relentless drive for excellence. He didn’t just meet the expectations set for him — he consistently surpassed them, setting a new standard for quality and performance. His commitment to delivering high-quality outcomes became a hallmark of his work, inspiring his colleagues to strive for the same level of excellence.
Jack’s passion for process improvement and his ability to consistently exceed targets made him an invaluable asset to his team. He was never content with the status quo; instead, he proactively sought out innovative solutions that enhanced efficiency and effectiveness. This forward-thinking mindset not only drove the success of his own projects but also reinforced the high-performance culture within the entire team.
One of Jack’s most remarkable qualities is his exceptional problem-solving ability. No matter the challenge, he tackled it with ease and efficiency, often turning potential setbacks into opportunities for growth. His resilience and passion for his work were evident in everything he did, solidifying his role as a pivotal member of the team. Jack truly embodies the essence of a high-performance culture. Through his actions and attitude, he demonstrated what it means to be committed to quality and excellence. His presence elevated the performance of his entire department and significantly enhanced the overall culture of the company. Winning the Living Our Values Award is a well-deserved recognition of Jack’s outstanding contributions and the impact he has made.
Derek Lakey, Ore Haul Superintendent
Derek’s journey to winning the Outstanding Corporate Citizenship Award is a story of dedication, leadership and unwavering commitment to his community. Over the past year, Derek played a pivotal role on the Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC), representing Kinross Manh Choh with integrity and transparency. His meticulous approach to gathering and verifying information ensured that Kinross was seen as a responsible and open participant in the TAC’s deliberations. Derek’s efforts highlighted the company’s credibility and reinforced its reputation as a trustworthy partner in the community.
But Derek’s contributions didn’t stop at the committee level. He actively engaged with the Fairbanks community through meetings, local government updates and public gatherings, always emphasizing the importance of open communication between Kinross and the people it serves. His ability to discuss complex topics, such as the ore transportation system, safety protocols and Black Gold Transport’s management philosophies – with clarity and professionalism – further solidified a positive image of Kinross.
Derek’s leadership extended into crisis management and public relations, where he consistently demonstrated exceptional poise and professionalism. Even in the face of opposition, he remained composed and articulate, presenting facts with precision while respecting differing viewpoints. This approach not only upheld Kinross’s reputation but also exemplified the principles of good corporate citizenship.
Within the company, Derek took a proactive role in internal communications, particularly with updates from the Manh Choh site. His efforts ensured that employees were well-informed and their concerns addressed, fostering trust and confidence in the project. Derek’s seamless integration of public engagement with stakeholder advocacy made him an indispensable asset in enhancing Kinross’s community relations and championing the company’s core values. Through his tireless work and leadership, Derek truly embodied what it means to be an outstanding corporate citizen, making him a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Fort Knox Mine Employee Bussing Pilot Program
Last month, we enthusiastically announced the launch of our new bussing program, piloting through mid-September, with the option to extend into mid-October, weather permitting. This initiative aims to provide a convenient and eco-friendly commuting option for our employees, helping to reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions.
Benefits of Joining the Shuttle Program:
The shuttle program offers numerous advantages. It allows you to save money on gas and vehicle maintenance, reduces wear and tear on your personal vehicle and helps minimize greenhouse gas emissions by cutting down on individual car usage. Additionally, it contributes to less congested roads and provides secure parking for your vehicle while you’re at work. In case of emergencies, a standby van is available for one-off trips back to your vehicle. The shuttle can accommodate up to 36 people, with the potential to expand based on interest. More participants mean more shuttles.
We believe this program will greatly benefit our community and the environment, and we encourage you to take advantage of this convenient commuting option. Your participation will not only make your daily commute easier but also support our commitment to sustainability.
Program Highlights:
MEM Shuttle departs town daily at 0445/1645 for 0530/1730 arrival at the site and departs the mine at 0625 and 1825 for return to town.
Mine Ops shuttle departs town daily at 0545/1745 for 0630/1830 arrival at the site and departs the mine at 0745/1945 for return to town.
If you miss the scheduled bus, arrangements can be made to get to town with your respective supervisor or Security.
The Admin shuttle departs town Monday through Friday only at 0605 for 0650 arrival at the site and departs the site at 1610 returning to town.
Should the pilot prove successful, additional pickup locations may be introduced. For now, there is only one pickup spot indicated on the map above.
Important Information:
Please share this information with anyone who is interested. If you would like to utilize the shuttle program, be at the pickup location before departure time and hop on board. As the program ramps up, the number of riders and departure times will be adjusted based on employee response.
Bussing Pilot
Location: 490 Harold Bentley
7 days a week
Morning Shuttle:
- Departure: 5:45 AM
- Arrival at the Mine Site: 6:30 AM
- Return for the Night Shift: Departs at 7:30 PM
- Late Bus Departs at 8 PM
Evening Shuttle:
- Departure: 5:45 PM
- Arrival at Mine Site: 6:30 PM
- Return for Day Shift: Departs at 7:30 AM
- Late Bus Departs at 8 AM
Common Questions…
- Plugins? If pilot is successful, a bull rail will be installed
- Security? Fenced and secured lot (locked with a chain)
- What if the bus is late in the field or I have an emergency? Late bus and emergency standby van are available
- Will more locations be added? Potentially if pilot is successful (extra pickup in Fairbanks and North Pole)
Community Investments & Outreach
WEIO
Kinross Alaska is proud to continue our support for the annual World Eskimo Indian Olympics, helping to preserve and celebrate the many Indigenous cultures across Alaska. We were honored to support the Northway Dancers in their efforts to travel to Fairbanks and showcase their incredible skills. Additionally, we sponsored over 200 tickets for low-income families, ensuring everyone had the opportunity to attend and participate in these heritage celebrations.
Rodeo
We saddled up to support The Run for Gold, a local rodeo in the Interior. Events consisted of barrel racing, roping and wrangling and some good old fashioned country fun.
Golden Days Parade
Annually the mine joins forces with the Chamber of Commerce to help out on the Grand Parade in downtown Fairbanks. With another 30 mine volunteers, 5,000 themed bags were distributed to the community to help them collect the mother lode of candy that was waiting for them down the parade line. A big thank you to CMI and BGE for bringing a wiggle wagon as part of our joint float to help showcase mining equipment in a safe environment.
Mosquito Meander
Every year the Resource Center for Parents and Children hosts a 5k fun run, and every year we are excited to see it grow as it becomes an annual event many look forward to. Proceeds help benefit the local programs put on by RCPC, like Stevie’s place, parenting programs and counseling resources. This year there were over 500 community members, and many Kinross employees, who joined in on the fun.
Tok 4th of July
Patriotic flags flying and the smell of burgers on the grill helped the Tok community celebrate the 4th of July this year. The Kinross team handed out over 1,000 popsicles to parade goers, and grilled lunch as part of a fundraiser with the Tok Chamber to fund future 4th of July celebrations. Thanks to everyone who flipped burgers, walked in the parade and helped feed everyone during the community celebration.
Summer BBQs
Outreach is a crucial part of any mining operation, and this year we resumed our annual road show of hosting BBQs and Q&A sessions along the rock haul route. The visited communities included Tok, Tetlin, Delta and Fox. We partnered with each area’s local Lions Club to help us prepare and distribute food, alongside the Tok trap team kids who helped host in Tok.
Park Ribbon Cutting
In a joint effort with the Manh Choh business partners, the team was able to help the Tok Lions fund new playground equipment for youth. During the summer outreach BBQ, we held a ribbon cutting to officially open it for use – for all ages!
Employee Recipe: Sea Island Wings
Ingredients
Hot Sauce:
- 1 cup hot sauce
- 1/2 cup molasses
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
Wings:
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 3/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for oiling the grill
- 3 pounds whole chicken wings
- 1/2 cup thinly-sliced scallions (cut on a bias), optional
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- Preheat a grill or grill pan at medium-high heat.
- For the hot sauce: Mix the hot sauce, molasses and butter in a small pot. Heat until combined, then set aside.
- For the wings: Whisk together the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, smoked paprika and pepper in a bowl. Whisk the oil into the dry mixture, creating a loose rub. Set a quarter of the mixture aside to use for brushing.
- Slather the wings with the rub. Brush the grill grates with a little olive oil, then add the wings to the grill. Cook, covered, for about 10 minutes, then baste with the reserved rub mixture. Flip and baste with any remaining rub and cook for another 15 minutes. Remove the wings from the grill and toss with the hot sauce in a large bowl. Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with the scallions and parsley, if using.
Welcome to Kinross Alaska
From May to July
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Aaron Woods | Surveyor |
| Amanda Bador | Environmental Intern |
| Andrew Henning | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Charlette Price | Equipment Operator |
| Christopher Sullivan | Fuel Lube Mechanic |
| Cody Bowman | MEM Laborer |
| Cole George | Mill Operator |
| Daniel Mowery | Equipment Operator |
| Darek Hartshorn | Senior Assay/Fire Technician |
| Darren Benham | Warehouse Laborer |
| David Neyhart | Fire/Assay Technician |
| Dennis Davis | Mill Operator |
| Derik Johnson | Finance Intern |
| Devin Leonard | Fire/Assay Technician |
| Ebenezer Anthony | Field Engineering Intern |
| Edith Ortiz | Geology Technician |
| Emily Bellant | Environmental Intern |
| Frank Udarbe | Fire/Assay Technician |
| Garrison Macon | Geology Technician |
| Grafton Worrall | Mill Operator |
| Heather Conley | Warehouse Technician |
| Ilija Pakjetov | Mill Operator |
| Jacob Stewart | Mechanic Mill |
| Jamie Wheeler | Fire/Assay Technician |
| Jeneece Fields | Equipment Operator |
| Jocelyn Bohlken | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Joshua Makkar | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Kaden Jones | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Karlene Borchardt | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Keith Romick | Equipment Operator |
| Korbin Thompson | Mobile Mechanic |
| Kyle Ballou | Mobile Mechanic |
| Laiken Elterman | Equipment Operator |
| Lisa Lockes | Assay Technician |
| Luke Zerbst | Equipment Operator – Shov/Load |
| Maclean Sweeney | MEM Mechanic |
| Mark Black | Operator Truck Driver |
| Matthew Fagan | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Michael Carroll | Mill Operator |
| Michael Hamilton | Equipment Operator |
| Michael McNulty | Geology Technician |
| Nicholas Emm | Geology Technician |
| Nina Delain | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Olivia Cabe | Fire/Assay Technician |
| Rebecca Buttram | Mine Operations Intern |
| Riley Bowman | Equipment Operator |
| Rodney Gladney | Equipment Operator – Truck |
| Sally Poland | Administrative Assistant |
| Sarah Bryson | Geology Technician |
| Sarah Thompson | Geological Technician |
| Seth Theriault | Geology Technician |
| Shawn Stevenson | Mobile Mechanic |
| Shelby Rowles | Equipment Operator |
| Timberlyn Wendt | Custodian |
| Tyler Demit | Geological Technician |
| Wilson Garcia Delgado | Mill Operator |
| Zhane Derry | Assay Technician |
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