http://community.adn.com/adn/node/13...

Development plans for the one of the world's largest gold mine prospects -- the Donlin Creek prospect in the Kuskokwim River drainage -- are moving along quickly. The companies involved are nearing completion of their studies and say permit applications with state and federal officials will likely be filed this year.

This mining project, a partnership between two Canadian mining companies, Barrick Gold and NovaGold Resources, is moving toward permitting faster than Pebble but is much lower on Alaskans’ radar screen. The companies haven't sought a lot of publicity and so far, the project, located on Native land, hasn’t generated as much public debate as Pebble.

If built, Donlin would be one of the world’s largest gold mines, producing nearly 30 million ounces of gold over its 25-year to 30-year lifetime, company officials say. If Pebble is built, it potentially could produce more than three times that amount of gold.