Krysti Shallenberger, Alaska's Energy Desk - Bethel

Donlin Gold, the company developing a proposed gold mine in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, says that it hopes to get most of its major permits out of the way this year. But so far, progress has been a bit slow.

Climate change and rural aviation are major issues in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. And Sen. Lisa Murkowski addressed both during her visit to the region last week.

Sen. Murkowski says that Dunleavy’s stance on Ballot Measure 1, a controversial salmon habitat ballot measure, was a big factor in her support.

Barrick Gold also wants to build one of the world’s largest gold mines, the Donlin gold mine, in the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta. And this merger could have future implications for the project.

There isn’t much at the proposed mine site right now: just a long airstrip, with clusters of sturdy buildings in the middle of green mountains close to the Middle Kuskokwim River. But if completed, the Donlin gold mine would be one of the biggest in the world.

One one person testified in favor of the Donlin Mine during the hearing — the CEO of The Kuskokwim Corporation, which owns the surface rights.