Faces of Mining
Chelsea Flint Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company
In each issue of The Alaska Miner, we recognize a member of our Alaska mining community. This issue we are interviewing Chelsea Flint, Community Relations and Engagement Specialist for Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company.
What is your role with Hecla and how did you get into the industry? My role is Community Rela- tions and Engagement. I am born and raised in Juneau. I had always known that the Greens Creek mine, and later the Coeur Alaska Kens- ington mine, were operating nearby while I was growing up, but didn’t see myself working in the indus- try. I’m very glad that changed! I joined Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company in 2020 during COVID, helping to navigate logistics and evolving local legislation during the pandemic — it was quite an interesting time to join! Who was your mentor in this in- dustry and what did they teach you that remains true today? Heather Nelson continues to be my mentor in Community Rela- tions, and Debra Ore in Human Re- sources; both ladies have can-do attitudes and go above and beyond what is asked of them. Every em- ployee or community member that they interact with ends up better off than before. They truly emulate the saying that it doesn’t necessarily matter what you said or did, but it matters how you make people feel. What lessons have you learned that you want to share with new miners? Experienced miners might seem like a tough crowd, and they might give you a hard time at first, but deep down they are some of the kindest (and funniest!) people you’ll meet. Don’t be afraid to ask the “dumb” questions, because they do truly want to help you out, and keep you safe. What would you do differently? There are so many facets to an operating mine — if I could do it over again, I would try to learn as much as possible about each area, department, and process as quick-
Chelsea said she enjoys the camaraderie that comes with her job.
ly as I could. That way, I’d be able to pass that information onto new miners to potentially open them up to new paths and passions they had never thought about before. What was one experience you will never forget? My first time at the Greens Creek mine. I went underground
and stayed in our camp. My per- ception of the underground world was vastly different from before and after my first trip under. It was so much bigger, warmer, safer, and more advanced I thought! And I figured the camp would be bare bones, and not very comfortable — but it’s the complete opposite! You have all the comforts of home at a
18
The Alaska Miner
Winter 2025
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online