Manh Choh Project brings opportunity for responsible development BY: LEILA KIMBRELL, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR ALASKA LIKE MANY IN ALASKA, RDC HAS BEEN FOLLOWING THE LOCAL MANH CHOH PROJECT WITH KEEN INTEREST. In fall 2023, we were pleased see the start of test runs of the new, state-of-theart trucks that will be used for the project; however, we were disappointed to see a legal challenge seeking to stop this project – specifically to stop commercial haul trucks from using our public highway system. There has been a healthy debate about the pros and cons of this project, as there should be with any development project; here is why RDC thinks this is a project that can positively shape the future of responsible resource development projects in Alaska and should move forward. A PROJECT PROMISING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE TO REMOTE ALASKA Manh Choh is an historic partnership between the Native Village of Tetlin (Tetlin) and Kinross Gold and Contango Ore, private industry leaders with exceptional environmental records, that promises to bring transformational economic change to this village. One can’t help but think of this much like the Red Dog Mine project between NANA and Teck in northwest Alaska, which is a great example of supporting local hire and respecting traditional and subsistence lifestyles allowing residents to remain in their home communities year-round. Or the discovery of oil on the North Slope prompting the resolution of land claims and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) that created the 7(i) and 7(j) revenue sharing provisions, and together with community revenue sharing provisions. This brought transformational change to the people and communities of the North Slope in ways that have been objectively measured to have improved and extended the lives of the people on the North Slope. The Native Village of Tetlin was one of just a few Alaska Native villages who opted out of ANSCA. When Tetlin opted out of ANSCA, they received surface and subsurface rights to 743,000 acres of land; however, unlike the NANA and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC) and other Alaska Native corporations, Tetlin does not benefit from ANCSA’s revenue-sharing provisions. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Tetlin is a community of approximately 125. It is located within the federal Tetlin National Wildlife Refuge between Tetlin Lake and the Tanana River. About 20 miles southeast of Tok, Tetlin Village connects to the Alaska Highway by a small gravel road. The people of Tetlin are Upper Tanana Athabascans and the Village of Tetlin consists of 97.4% Alaska Native or part Native. The village has no running water or sewer. The predominant lifestyle of Tetlin is traditional subsistence activities. Employment is limited to government and some seasonal mining jobs. The average annual household income for Tetlin is just $7,500 and approximately 41.82% of the population lives below the poverty level. By comparison, the local job opportunities that will be created by the Manh Choh project will support yearround salaries in the six-digits. Manh Choh is more than just economic opportunity and the promise of jobs. It is a legacy project for the people of the Native Village of Tetlin and the surrounding region. This vision goes back to 2008 when then late Chief Danny Adams and the Village council members made it their priority to develop an economic future for their people. Chief Adams was a well-respected 10 ALASKA RESOURCE REVIEW WINTER 2024 BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR A BETTER ALASKA Photo Courtesy Kinross Alaska
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