Salmon Gold - RESOLVE

A partnership that produces gold while restoring habitat for salmon and other species

Launched in 2018 by RESOLVE, Salmon Gold is a voluntary partnership to re-mine historical placer gold mine sites and restore fish habitat using sustainable techniques in Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and British Columbia, regions with globally significant habitat for salmon and other anadromous fish species. We are working with miners, communities, conservationists, agencies, restoration experts, and manufacturers to produce gold that tells a positive story in the marketplace and demonstrates the value of restoration.

More information is available at the following links:

Our latest media coverage
Steve D'Esposito's congratulations to Dean Race and his son Chris, Salmon Gold’s first partner, who were awarded a Sustainable Development Award from the US Bureau of Land Management
Mahlette Betre's reflections on Salmon Gold
August 2019 Press Release
Salmon Gold Supplemental Information

The initial phase of Salmon Gold focused on re-mining and restoring a part of Jack Wade Creek, a tributary of the Fortymile River in Alaska. RESOLVE worked with a local placer miner and government agencies to test restoration methods, process recovered gold, and establish a chain-of-custody for the first batch of Salmon Gold from the mine to manufacturers. Gold from the project is now in the supply chains of Tiffany & Co. and Apple, RESOLVE’s partners. By producing gold that supports restoration, Salmon Gold meets the needs of manufacturing and retail companies seeking responsibly sourced minerals for their products.

We are now initiating a second phase, during which we will expand the pilot projects and work with our partners to demonstrate that restoration can scale and become self-sustaining based on strong, downstream market demand for Salmon Gold and recognition and high-quality stream restoration that qualifies for compensatory mitigation. As Salmon Gold expands, we hope to be able to support restoration projects with funding from mitigation, enabling Salmon Gold to operate as a self-sustaining enterprise.

At Tiffany & Co. we are committed to safeguarding critical ecosystems, including in majestic Alaska and its precious salmon habitats, a place that we have long advocated for. Salmon Gold proves that responsible mining practices and restoration of important ecosystems in Alaska, the Yukon, and British Columbia can go hand in hand. We are proud to collaborate with a diverse group of stakeholders to demonstrate the viability of this unique approach and hope to learn from its successes.

Anisa Kamadoli Costa, Chief Sustainability Officer, Tiffany & Co.

As we work to increase our use of recycled content, we’re looking for innovative approaches to source gold responsibly. Our collaboration on Salmon Gold proves it is possible to protect our planet, restore ecosystems and fish habitats, and mine gold responsibly. The blockchain technology we’re using with the project allows us to know exactly where the gold originated from as it works its way into our supply chain.

Paula Pyers, Head of Supplier Responsibility, Apple

Summary Points

Salmon Gold brings together communities, miners, conservationists, manufacturing and retail companies, and government agencies in Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and British Columbia.
The partnership re-mines historical placer gold mine sites responsibly and supports stream habitat restoration utilizing modern techniques.
Gold from the project is now in the supply chains of Tiffany & Co. and Apple, sourced from pilot sites in Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada.
As Salmon Gold expands, we hope to be able to support restoration projects with funding from mitigation, enabling Salmon Gold to operate as a self-sustaining enterprise.