Photo: Trevor Gridley
In this issue
General Manager Message
As this will be my final column as Kinross Alaska VP & GM, I want to thank each of you for contributing to our success. Working alongside this team has been a privilege. You embody 101/0. This 100% effort / 0 excuses has shaped the culture here and it shows in the results you deliver every day.
Beginning January 1, I will move into the role of Senior Vice-President, U.S.A. Operations. I am grateful for the opportunity and proud to continue serving the company in a broader capacity. My transition opens new opportunities across Alaska, and I want to highlight that every one of the resulting leadership changes has been filled by an internal candidate. This demonstrates the strength of our people and our continued commitment to developing talent from within.
I am very pleased to congratulate Shane Parrow, who will become Vice-President and General Manager, Alaska. Shane is a strong leader with deep site knowledge and a clear commitment to people and performance. Alaska is in good hands, and I wish him every success.
We have the right structure in place to deliver strong performance well into the future. The team, the strategy and the culture are aligned. Kinross Alaska is set up for success.
I also want to acknowledge several recent leadership promotions that reflect our High-Performance Culture:
• Josh Mattacchione, promoted to Continuous Improvement Superintendent effective January 1, 2026. Josh has grown through Mine Ops and CI and has consistently demonstrated collaboration and a solutions-focused mindset.
• Jack Granger, promoted to Deputy Mine Operations Superintendent. Jack brings nearly three decades of experience at Fort Knox and a steady leadership approach centered on safety and people.
• Dustin Poppin, promoted to General Supervisor, Mine Operations. Dustin has progressed through the department since 2011 and is known for supporting employee development and strong teamwork.
• Daniel (Danny) Poland, promoted to General Supervisor, Drill and Blast. Danny brings 15 years of experience, a commitment to operational excellence and a record of supporting military personnel.
Please join me in congratulating each of them and thanking them for their continued service to Kinross.
To everyone at Kinross Alaska, thank you for your support and partnership. This is a remarkable team, and I am proud of what we have built together. I look forward to watching your continued success.
Terence Watungwa
Vice President & General Manager, Kinross Alaska
Employee Spotlight: Craig Paul Jr.
This issue’s spotlight employee is Craig Paul Jr., originally from Tetlin who now lives in Tok.
Craig was hired as a summer intern this year. He attended the MAPTS heavy equipment operator training in Delta Junction and recently accepted a full-time job as a scale house operator for BGT. Craig is doing a great job learning his new position, and we are very proud of his accomplishments!
Hand Injury Prevention October 2025
You are in the line of fire when your hands are at risk of coming into contact with a force they cannot endure.
- Look for possible pinch points before you start a task.
- Plan your actions and determine the necessary steps to work safely.
- Give your work your full attention. Many accidents occur when workers are distracted or influenced by the variables. Don’t accept the risk.
The next time you decide to grab materials, or a tool, or put your hand in between equipment or materials, ask yourself this – Would you think differently if it were a child’s hand?
If yes, then your hand shouldn’t be there!
Stand on Safeground!
Standard of the Month
This month’s standard of the month was selected by the Mine Operations Beyond Compliance team. With changing conditions coming our way and the fact that this standard covers our access road as well, they felt it would be a good reminder to all. Thank you, Mine Operations!
§ 56.9101 Operating speeds and control of equipment.
Operators of self-propelled mobile equipment shall maintain control of the equipment while it is in motion. Operating speeds shall be consistent with conditions of roadways, tracks, grades, clearance, visibility, traffic and the type of equipment used.
Insights: There is no PPM (Program Policy Manual) for this standard. However, it is a Rules to Live by Standard, which means if a citation is written under this standard, it could be considered for “special assessment.” MSHA’s definition of mobile equipment: “Wheeled, skid-mounted, track-mounted or rail-mounted equipment capable of moving or being moved, and any powered equipment that transports people, equipment or materials, excluding belt conveyors, at surface metal and nonmetal mines and does not necessarily require the equipment to be self-propelled.” So, this standard does include light-duty vehicles and side-by-sides.
Please stay Focused, Participate and be Engaged.
Please encourage others to do the same. Stand on Safeground!
Kinross Alaska Wins Three PRSA Aurora Awards for Excellence in Communication
Kinross Alaska received three Public Relations Society of America (Alaska) Aurora Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement in public relations and storytelling across the state.
These awards celebrate strategic communication that strengthens relationships, builds community trust and showcases the people behind our operations. Kinross Alaska received recognition in three categories:
- Speech Writing – Honoring our ability to connect through powerful storytelling and authentic leadership messaging.
- Communications – Recognizing excellence in crafting clear, impactful narratives that reflect our company’s values and vision.
- Women’s Day Initiative – Celebrating our internal and external efforts to champion inclusion, highlight the women shaping our operations and inspire the next generation of industry leaders.
“This recognition is a testament to the creativity, collaboration and purpose that drive our team every day,” said Meadow Riedel, External Affairs Manager, Kinross Alaska. “Our communication efforts go beyond sharing news — they tell the story of our people, our partnerships and our commitment to Alaska.”
The PRSA Aurora Awards are among the region’s most respected honors in professional communications, and Kinross Alaska’s triple win underscores our ongoing commitment to transparency, engagement and meaningful storytelling.
Kinross Leadership Visits Alaska Operations
Last month, we welcomed Kinross Board Chair Kelly Osborne and Chief Operating Officer Claude Schimper to Alaska for a multi-day visit to our Fort Knox and Manh Choh operations.
They kicked off their visit with a tour of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Museum of the North, where they viewed the archives and treasures housed below the building, awaiting display. They then loaded up onto a small Wright plane to travel south to our Tok operation.
Their visit provided an invaluable opportunity for our global leadership to see firsthand the exceptional work happening across our sites — from the pit at Fort Knox to the operations in Tok. Both Kelly and Claude spent time on the ground with our teams, learning about our operations, connecting directly with employees and seeing the commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and operational excellence that defines Kinross Alaska.
At Fort Knox, they joined leadership for a tour showcasing current mining activities, reclamation progress and exploration. In Tok, they had the chance to observe the Manh Choh operation in action and engage in discussions about community partnerships and workforce development.
Both leaders expressed appreciation for the dedication, professionalism and teamwork demonstrated by employees across the sites. Their visit reinforced the pride we share in representing Alaska within Kinross’ global network — where our people, our performance and our partnerships continue to shine bright.
Community Investments & Outreach
Kinross Alaska Goes Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness
In October Kinross Alaska went pink across our operations as teams came together to support breast cancer awareness and early detection.
We hosted the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska at our annual Pink Blast at Fort Knox, honoring survivors and recognizing the importance of accessible screening for Alaskans. Downtown Fairbanks also turned pink, thanks to Kinross banners featuring awareness statistics that sparked community conversations.
We teamed up with the University of Alaska Fairbanks to sponsor the Breast Cancer Awareness games for both the hockey and volleyball teams, giving away more than 2,000 pink Nanook scarves to fans in honor of survivors and those currently fighting breast cancer.
Our employees showed their hearts of gold through basket raffles and dessert auctions that raised funds directly for the BCDC, helping provide free and low-cost mammograms. We also participated in the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, standing alongside survivors and participants to raise funds and increase awareness for research and prevention efforts.
Together, our employees proved once again that when Kinross Alaska goes pink, we do it with purpose, pride and compassion.
Fairbanks Resource Agency – City Sample, Food for a Cause
Miners are hard workers — and they love good food! Kinross Alaska is an annual supporter of the Fairbanks Resource Agency’s City Sampler, a local favorite that brings together some of the best bites in Fairbanks to support individuals with disabilities. Our team joined the fun alongside community members for a night filled with great food, music and laughter — all while helping raise funds that support FRA’s mission of independence and inclusion for Alaskans of all abilities. It was a delicious way to give back to a cause that makes a real difference in our community.
Movember
November marks Movember, a global movement dedicated to raising awareness around men’s health. This year, we focused on the three pillars of men’s health: prostate cancer, testicular cancer and breaking the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
A catered luncheon from Big Daddy’s BBQ kicked things off. Teams gathered to learn more about the importance of Movember, pick up some exclusive swag and connect over a great cause. After lunch, we hosted a Clean Shave event — with more than 20 participants starting the month fresh-faced and ready to grow their mustaches in support of men’s health conversations.
Much more is planned throughout the month. We’re introducing the first-ever MOVA Awards — that’s Men’s Outreach and Values Awards — celebrating those who embody the spirit of Movember. There are 12 superlative categories, and two ways to earn a coveted MOVA!
- Gold: Be nominated by your peers as a champion of men’s health and a supportive coworker.
- Silver: Be a winner of the Clean Shave event.
We also shared valuable resources to help employees take charge of their well-being, including preventative screening options, EAP resources and mental health first aid classes. Teams learned about the ALEC method — Ask, Listen, Encourage and Check In — as a practical way to support each other year-round.
Together, let’s keep the conversation going, support one another and make this Movember one to remember!
Jacob and Josh, the Movember Committee
Alaska awarded the CEO Safety Award -– Again!
Safety is at the heart of everything we do — and it shows! Kinross Alaska was awarded the CEO Safety Award for this quarter, marking the second time in the last three years our team has earned this top recognition. This award celebrates the dedication, vigilance and teamwork of every employee who helps make our sites safe each and every day.
Congratulations to everyone at Fort Knox and Manh Choh for continuing to set the bar high for safety excellence across Kinross.
Halloween Fun – Tok and Fox
Halloween spirit was in full swing at the Manh Choh campus, where we welcomed more than 50 families for a night of treats, laughter and creativity! From superheroes to spooky characters, we loved seeing all the amazing costumes from kids and parents alike — and our employees joined right in on the fun.
In Fox we joined the Lions Club to participate in the second annual Trunk-or-Treat in our closest neighboring community to the mine. It was much warmer this year, and the kids came out in droves to share smiles and candy with local volunteers.
LOVA Nominee Recognition Ceremonies
A LOVA breakfast and luncheon were hosted on October 7 and 8 at Manh Choh, celebrating more than 50 nominations for Putting People First, Rigorous Financial Discipline, High Performance Culture and Outstanding Corporate Citizen.
Simulator Dedication Ceremony
A simulator dedication ceremony was held at the Tok School Oct. 22 to recognize Kinross’ generous donation to the Alaska Gateway School District. Kinross donated a state-of-the-art Miller welding machine and a Simlog heavy equipment simulator as an investment in the communities surrounding the project. The simulators expose both students and adult learners to the trades in an effort to explore potential careers and consider post-secondary training opportunities.
UAF Outreach
Sean Bracken, our Business Development Manager, recently spent an afternoon with students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Mining and Engineering, offering his time and expertise to help the next generation of industry professionals better understand the business side of mining. His presentation walked students through how global markets operate, the factors that influence commodity pricing and why economic trends matter just as much as technical skills when it comes to building a strong and resilient mining career.
He also shared real-world examples and market data from a variety of businesses to illustrate how shifts in global demand, investment cycles and economic indicators can directly impact the mining industry. The students were engaged and full of questions, and Bracken’s ability to connect big-picture economics to day-to-day mine operations helped them see the broader ecosystem of the industry. We’re grateful for his commitment to supporting workforce development and strengthening our ties with UAF’s mining and engineering programs.
If you or your team are interested in connecting with students, contact the community relations team to learn more.
Employee Recipe: Breakfast Blueberry & Oatmeal Cakes
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Combine oats and milk in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours and up to 12 hours, until most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Heat oven to 375 degrees. Coat a 12-cup nonstick muffin tin with cooking spray.
- Stir egg, maple syrup, oil, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder and salt into the soaked oats until well combined. Divide the mixture among the muffin cups, about 1/4 cup each. Top each with 1 tablespoon blueberries.
- Bake until the oatmeal cakes spring back when touched, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Loosen with a paring knife and serve warm.
Welcome to Kinross Alaska
| Name | Position |
|---|---|
| Paul Smooth | MEM Laborer |
| Tyson Wligorksi | MEM Supervisor |
| Alexandra Lewis | Custodian |
| Eliott Grossman | Surveyor |
| Alexander Her | Geological technician |
| Steven Coyne | Mill Operator |
| Michael Curtis | Dewatering Electrician |
| Ryan Nafpliotis | Material Control Tech |
| Richard Hayslip | SR. E&I Plant Tech |
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