Kinross Renames Peak Project as ‘Manh Choh’
Jeremy Brans, vice-president and general manager of Fort Knox, and Village of Tetlin Chief Michael Sam at the Manh Choh renaming announcement.
Kinross announced a significant milestone at its newest project in Alaska, with the renaming of the former Peak project to Manh Choh. The renaming was a result of close consultation with the local Upper Tanana Athabascan Village of Tetlin. The project is situated within a mineral lease with the Village.
The name “Manh Choh” (“mon-CHO”) was chosen by the Village of Tetlin Chief, Michael Sam, and the tribal council, and can be translated from the Upper Tanana Athabascan language to “Big Lake,” referring to the nearby Tetlin Lake, a site of high cultural significance in the community.
“We look forward to the safe and responsible development of the project and the positive benefits it is expected to generate for our community,” says Village of Tetlin Chief Michael Sam. “We also look forward to further building a relationship with Kinross, a company with a strong track record in Alaska.”
In September 2020, Kinross acquired a 70 percent interest in this project, located approximately 250 miles southeast of Kinross’ Fort Knox mine. The project is expected to commence production in 2024, with ore from Manh Choh being processed at Fort Knox, utilizing the existing mill and infrastructure to benefit both the project and the mine. As such, the project plan removes the need to construct a tailings facility, mill and other infrastructure, and results in a smaller project footprint.