The Alaska Abandoned Mine Restoration Initiative is a partnership between Kinross Gold and Trout Unlimited, and recently the initiative launched its second project: the Cripple Creek Restoration Project. Cripple Creek in Alaska once served as a productive rearing stream for juvenile Chinook or King Salmon but was impacted by mining in the 1930s. Now, Kinross Gold and Trout Unlimited are accelerating efforts to restore the creek.
The first project, which focused on Resurrection Creek, launched in 2021 and greatly rebuilt the historic wildlife and fish habitat at the creek located in Hope Alaska. The Forest Service notes significant improvements to habitat quality and ecosystem function in the area of Resurrection Creek following the work but the Alaska Abandoned Mine Restoration Initiative. By working together, Kinross Gold, Trout Unlimited and countless others have seen amazing success in this first project, and hopes are high for Cripple Creek, as well.