The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) recently provided a US$300,000 grant toward the University of Alaska Fairbank’s Mining and Training Petroleum Service program (MATPS) in partnership with the Kinross Alaska
The grant aims to provide local people with the skills and training needed to fulfill job openings at Kinross’ Manh Choh project in Tetlin, that is expected to generate over 250 construction and approximately 300-600 mining and trucking jobs.
“Our department created a pilot project following Governor Mike Dunleavy’s tour of the Delta Mine Training Center last year,” said Acting Commissioner Cathy Muñoz. “The pilot project will support the training of up to 28 residents from the Tok area and bring high-paying jobs to the rural community. This is a win-win for all involved.”
The grant will include unique surface mining training skills necessary for employment at Manh Choh, as well as employability skills that can be transferrable over participants’ careers not only in mining, but any career path they choose to pursue in the future.
“Kinross Alaska is truly committed to hiring locally, developing tomorrow’s workforce and supporting new initiatives that provide sustainable skill development in the communities where we operate,” said Terence Watungwa, Vice-President and General Manager, Kinross Alaska. “We are excited about this training partnership and the opportunities it will provide to rural Alaska as we move towards the operations phase of Manh Choh.”
Kinross’ Manh Choh project is located approximately 250 miles southeast of our Fort Knox mine in Alaska. The average wage of an employee at Manh Choh will be more that $130,000, well above the average local wage. The project is expected to commence production in the second half of 2024, with an expected production of approximately 640,000 attributable Au eq. oz. over the life of mine.
Mine Training Coordinator Samuel Reves address the graduates during the MAPTS Graduation in the Mining and Petroleum Training Service Underground Mine Training Center off of the Alaska Highway outside Delta Junction (Courtesy of MAPTS).
