The True North Project is located 25 miles northeast of Fairbanks, on the northwest flank of Pedro Dome and approximately 11 miles from the existing Ft. Knox Mine. Fairbanks Gold Mining Incorporated (FGMI), a wholly owned subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation, owns 100% of the True North Venture. The True North Project operator is FGMI.

On December 20, 2000, DNR issued authorizations to FGMI to develop the True North Project by opening two surface mine pits (Hindenburg and East Pits). FGMI’s authorized operations include development rock dumps, an ore stockpile, growth medium stockpiles, ore haulage, a shop/office complex, power and water supply, and the necessary general infrastructure including mine and exploration roads. Ore from the True North Project is hauled via an access/haul road (that is the subject of a separate authorization) connecting the True North Project to the existing Ft. Knox facility for processing.

FGMI began work on the new haul road and the mine pits immediately after the project authorizations were issued and the appeal period had ended. The first ore was hauled to the Fort Knox Mill on March 31, 2001.

On July 12, 2002, DNR issued authorizations for an expansion to the True North Project. The expansion allows FGMI to mine additional reserves identified during its 2001 exploration activities. By mining these additional reserves, FGMI will create three new pits: the Central, Shepard, and Zeppelin pits. As a result of this pit expansion, up to an additional 7.4 million tons of ore will be mined from the True North Mine, and will be trucked via the existing haul road to the Fort Knox Mill for processing. As in the originally authorized mine plan, no processing of ore will take place at the True North site. The proposed expansion will lengthen the life of the True North Mine by about 1.5 to 2 years, with mining activity continuing into 2004.

Related Links and information: