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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is initiating a new environmental impact study regarding potential waste spills at the Donlin Gold mine in Alaska, following a federal court ruling that deemed the previous 2018 study inadequate.

This new study will address concerns over a large spill from the proposed 471-foot dam designed to contain mine tailings, after a lawsuit from six tribal governments highlighted the risks. The Corps will evaluate only the development alternative approved in 2018, with public comments accepted until February 24 and a final decision expected by May 2027.

The Donlin mine, a joint venture between Novagold Resources and Paulson Advisers, aims to extract approximately 34 million ounces of gold over three decades. Local tribes and environmental advocates express concerns regarding the mine's impact on the region's ecosystems and communities.