Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/1174544
O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9 www.resourceworld.com 53 The Healy Project is an early stage exploration gold project with a signifi- cantly anomalous geochemical footprint. Northway commenced interpretation and compilation work and has further defined targets for drill testing during 2019. In addition, Northway also holds a 100% interest in the Napolean Project, in the historic 40 Mile district. Napolean is a high-grade quartz vein system. Located 30 km north of Juneau, the Grand Portage Resources [GPG-TSXV] Herbert gold project hosts a high-grade gold mineralized vein system. In May 2019, Grand Portage published a mineral resource estimate consisting of an indi- cated resource of 606,500 oz at an average grade of 10.03 g/t gold and an inferred resource of 251,700 ounces at an average grade of 14.15 g/t gold. To date, less than 1,000 metres of the identified 4,600-metre gold trend has been explored. A 2018 LIDAR survey successfully identified the known vein system as well as new additional structures that may have the potential to host additional gold mineralization. During the 2019 summer program, work is expected to include trenching and channel sampling as well as geological mapping, metallurgical sam- pling and prospecting work. At Alaska's largest mines, the Kinross Gold [K-TSX; KGC-NYSE] Fort Knox Mine is continuing with production and mining expected to continue until 2027 and heap leaching to 2030 as a result of the delin- eation of an additional 1.5 million gold equivalent ounces from the initial Gilmore expansion project, west of the current pit. Production also continues from the world class Red Dog and Greens Creek polymetallic mines. Hecla Mining Company's [HL-NYSE] Greens Creek Mine is the US's largest silver producer that produces in excess of 7 million ounces of silver a year, often at a production cost of less than $5/oz silver. The Teck Resources [TECK.B-TSX; TECK-NYSE] Red Dog Mine remains one of the largest and highest- grade zinc-lead deposits in the world and the discovery of the nearby Anarraaq and Aktigiruq deposits will extend the life of this district. The snow will soon start to fly, and although the mines will continue to oper- ate, exploration projects will be shuttered until spring arrives as few projects can be drilled year round. During this time explorers will pour over data from the last field season and re-examine historical data with the aim of discovering Alaska's next giant deposit. Notwithstanding the short exploration season, exploration and mining remains an intrinsic part of the state's economy. Employing over 9,600 individuals directly and indirectly, mining accounts for some of the highest annual wages across Alaska (average US $102,000), and contributes approximately $149 million annually to state government revenues from taxes, roy- alties and rental payments. Given the recent exploration successes, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of mining in Alaska. n Kristina Walcott is President and CEO of Freegold Ventures Limited. ALASKA