A Message from the Executive Director
Dear AMA Members and Friends, Welcome to another spring season — and what a few months it has been! As many of you have experienced, it has been an incredible whirlwind of activity and great events for us to start off another busy year for the Alaska Miners Association. We recently spent time in Juneau on your behalf, highlighted by our third annual Juneau Mining Forum, again cosponsored with our partner Alaska Metal Mines. In this edition of the Journal, you will see our exceptional Alaska mines and miners at work, advocating for our current and future way of life. The Juneau Mining Forum has given us a chance to bring Alaska mining to the forefront with our elected representatives in the Legislature as well as the hard- working men and women who help define our vital industry. On Pages 14-18 you will see photos of the great lineup of speakers who attended and helped to shine the spotlight on varying aspects of what makes Alaska mining great. We can’t thank our panelists and attendees enough for helping us spread our message! We’re already looking forward to next year’s event and the time we can share together. AMA also has been hard at work, advocating and representing Alaska mining at other notable events. On Page 4, you will see our President Lorali Simon, of Usibelli Coal Mine, who recently chaired the Miami Coal Forum as part of a panel on regulatory and legislative affairs. It’s always amazing to see Alaska mining’s impact shared in venues that bring together a number of varied and shared stakeholders. Lorali did a great job of sharing AMA’s message and there was consensus that coal mining, including on federal lands, is critical to U.S. national and economic security. Thank you, Lorali, and Usibelli for all that you do for Alaska coal mining! It’s a great time to share the impact women have and will continue to have on the mining industry. On Pages 6-7, you will see a recap of celebrations for International Women’s Day. AMA is proud to say thank you to all the women in mining for their dedication and leadership. Each of you inspire us every day and it’s a privilege to highlight your achievements! Looking ahead, AMA is proud to again partner with 15
other organizations for the Alaska on the Hill event in April in Washington, D.C.! The event will be held April 29-30 and will include industry briefings, a Congressional Roundtable with members of Congress from committees of jurisdiction affecting Alaska resource industries and then Capitol Hill visits. It’s important for AMA and our partners to continue to spread the good word about Alaska mining at the federal level, and we’re looking forward to sharing your stories! Lastly, I would like to highlight the news of Alaska mining icon Roger Burggraf and his recent donation of his personal gold collection to the UA Museum of the North. The collection will span his 50-plus-year career of mining, and the museum will construct an exhibit to feature the gold and educate on the history of gold mining in Alaska. A fundraising effort is underway to support the exhibit construction and design, maintenance and development of educational content, and many AMA members have already donated to this amazing endeavor! We will have more details in the spring Miner magazine and we look forward to futher honoring Roger and his amazing contributions.
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Lorali Simon, President Dave Larimer, First Vice President Houston Morris, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers Follow us on Instagram @alaska.miners
Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Ethan Trickey, Denali Dave Larimer, Fairbanks Jan Hill, Haines Jason Hart, Juneau Houston Morris, Kenai Ken Hughes, Nome Robert Fithian, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members. It is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516. We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email story ideas and photos to Lee Leschper. Advertising Rates and New Tips For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, call or email Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Mike Satre and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Blake Bogart and Dave Larimer, State Oversight
Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Carin Currier, Projects & Communications Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I March 2025
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