THE ALASKA MINER JOURNAL: The publication is member-only news mailed to AMA members, eight times a year, in months when the Magazine is not published. The Alaska Miner Journal is dedicated to those who work in and support the mining industry in Alaska, its commitment to the people, and the resources of our state. Our goal is to disseminate information on responsible mineral development, educating the public about the value of mining, providing information for our membership and the general public, providing policymakers the information they need to understand the mining industry and monitor political and regulatory processes affecting mining in Alaska.
May 2022 Volume 50, Number 5
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
Celebrate Mining Day! Plan to join us for a full day of speakers, programs and celebration of our Alaska mining heritage May 10 in Fairbanks.
Kinross Alaska recently presented a $1 million donation to the University of Alaska Fairbanks to fund design of the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center. Left to right: Charlene Stern, Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education; Terence Watungwa, VP and GM of Kinross Alaska; Chancellor Dan White, UAF; Anna Atchison, Director of External Affairs for Kinross Alaska; Dominic Channer, Global VP of Community Relations; and Aaron Schutt, Doyon, Limited President and CEO, and chairman of the Troth Yeddha’ Legacy Committee. Kinross Alaska donates $1 million to UAF
See more starting on Page 5
ALASKA MINING DAY CELEBRATION Save the Date! And plan to join us for a full day of speakers, programs and celebration of our Alaska Mining heritage.
Tuesday, May 10, 2022, in Fairbanks
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON AT AlaskaMiners.org
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A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Miners, Members, Supporters and Friends: At press time, AMA staff and a committee of volunteers are busily putting the final touches on the tenth annual Alaska Mining Day celebration to be held in Fairbanks. We are beyond excited to one, be having events again altogether and two, to be able to celebrate this milestone anniversary in the way it has come together. We have spent the last 10 years observing this day in a variety of ways and locations, and we could not be more excited to be in the Golden Heart City May 10 to show off our industry and tell our story. Some know our story well, but it is surprising how many do not. This has motivated us to brainstorm all the highlights associated with our mines, projects, and people to put on display on Mining Day. Capturing all the benefits of mining in Alaska makes for a full day. We are going to be talking about our environmental performance and the responsible stewardship in place at our mines. We will show the benefits to the State of Alaska and dig into the relationship with the Alaska Mental Health Trust, and how mining benefits its trustees. AMA and CAP will introduce our newly available Economic and Community Benefits of Alaska’s Mining Industry report conducted by the McKinley Group. We have produced this report for well over a decade, but this year we dug much deeper into getting key data on the untold story: the millions of dollars spent on goods and services from Alaska businesses, the partnerships with Alaska communities and organizations, and so much more. We will highlight our relationships with Alaska Native Corporations, the millions of dollars in annual revenue that is generated by mining and take a look at the amazing 50 years that have passed since the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) was enacted. We will have a conversation with the General Managers of four of Alaska’s operating mines, where we will hear about their partnerships with their communities of Juneau, Delta Junction, Healy, and the Northwest Arctic – both a statewide and a regional success story. We will learn about the environment at these mines, and we will talk about their people. You will love hearing the stories of employees’ engagement in volunteering for their local food bank, soccer teams, learning programs, and more. And we will hear the stories that usually remain untold but go on all the time: when a mine steps up to respond to a
crisis or disaster, helping people and communities when they need it most. Anyone in attendance at Alaska Mining Day will walk away with the impression that in mining, it is all about the community. As the cover story of this issue shows, Fairbanks is a poster child of a community benefitted by mining every day. As our opening presentation details how, mining transformed Interior
Alaska for well over 100 years to today, it is the community that is constantly blessed by the miners who live, work, and play there. The mines make for the community’s largest taxpayer, helping to fund everything from schools to highways. It is the mines who employ well over 1,000 Fairbanksans who take active roles in their community. And the mines are enthusiastically engaged in local educational and job training organizations, attracting future miners to join the industry. I am hopeful that this edition of the Alaska Miner is reaching some of you for the first time. We worked hard to extend invitations and welcome new faces to our group on Alaska Mining Day. I hope that as you review this publication, and as attendees hear stories on May 10, they become more aware of the role mining plays in their lives, big picture and close to home. What we do here is critical to the world to produce everything we need, from electronics to medical needs to transportation. What we do here is critical to Alaska because it helps our communities prosper. It is a story that will never get old.
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Bartly Kleven, President Lorali Simon, First Vice President Blake Bogart, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer
Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members.
Rich Sivils, Denali Ken Hall, Fairbanks Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau Houston Morris, Kenai Ken Hughes, Nome Robert Fithian, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
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 Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
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10th Annual Alaska Mining Day Celebration
Alaska Mining Day 2022 Wedgewood Resort – Fairbanks, AK Tuesday, May 10, 2022
9:00 Welcome
Safety Briefing and Local Welcome
9:15 Mining’s role in transforming Interior Alaska Tom Bundtzen, Pacific Rim Geological Consulting and Chairman, Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation
10:00 Break
10:15 Managing Alaska’s lands for multiple use and maximum benefit: resource development environmental protection Commissioner Jason Brune, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation; Kyle Moselle, Executive Director, Office of Project Management and Permitting Department of Natural Resources; Jusdi Warner, Executive Director, Trust Land Office; Geoff Beyersdorff, Fairbanks District Manager, BLM-Alaska
11:00 ANCSA at 50
Jamie Marunde, VP Lands, Doyon Limited; Lance Miller, VP Natural Resources, NANA Regional Corporation
2:30 Break
2:45 Anyone can be a miner! Job opportunities in Alaska’s mining industry and programs to train our future workforce Alaska Resource Education and University of Alaska, faculty students, and young professionals
11:30 Break and move to Taiga Center for Luncheon
12:00 Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon Presentation: A Conversation with Mining Operation General Managers with Introductory remarks by Senator Lisa Murkowski Brian Erickson, Hecla Greens Creek Mine; Jim Coxon, Northern Star Resources Pogo Mine; Les Yesnik, Red Dog Mine; Alan Renshaw, Usibelli Coal Mine Moderated by: Deantha Skibinski, Alaska Miners Association
3:30 Title forthcoming John Shively, Pebble Partnership
Introduction by: Lorali Simon, Vice President of External Affairs, Usibelli Coal Mine and Vice President of AMA Board of Directors
4:00 Adjourn to Alaska Mining Day Party in Borealis Ballroom 6:00 Alaska Mining Day closes – thank you!
2:00 Economic and Community Benefits of Mining in Alaska Donna Logan, McKinley Group
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2022 Reclamationist of the Year: Rich Sivils
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Usibelli Coal Mine is proud to announce that Rich Sivils has earned the prestigious American Society of Reclamation Sciences (ASRS) 2022 Reclamationist of the Year Award. According to the award criteria, this award is intended for “individuals demonstrating outstanding accomplishments in the practical application or evaluation of reclamation technology.” Sivils has served as Usibelli’s Reclamation Engineer since 2013 and is responsible for planning and executing the mine’s reclamation efforts. “We are very proud of Rich and for the accomplishments of our reclamation program,” said Alan Renshaw, Usibelli’s General Manager. “When Rich arrived at Usibelli nearly 10 years ago, he brought a fresh perspective and quickly applied his knowledge in reclamation practices to help us advance numerous projects at the mine,” he added. Usibelli’s reclamation program encompasses a rigorous process that includes backfilling, re-grading, seeding, fertilizing, and planting native trees and shrubs. For many years, Usibelli has partnered with botanists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and scientists within the Department of Natural Resources
planting techniques. The primary goal of Usibelli’s reclamation program is to restore wildlife habitat. Animals that frequent the area are bear, moose, caribou, lynx, wolves, snowshoe hare and coyote. According to state and federal law, coal mine
operators must restore mined land to its approximate original contour and companies are required to post a bond to ensure that the mined land will be reclaimed. “Achieving Phase III bond release by the State of Alaska takes decades,” explained Rich Sivils, Usibelli’s Reclamation Engineer. “The regulators at DNR are dedicated and thorough in their responsibilities to ensure operators are following law and regulation,” Sivils added. In 2021, Usibelli attained Phase III bond release for 367 acres by successfully showing diversity of vegetation
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coverage for the entire area. “Usibelli’s Poker Flats mining area is only the second area in Alaska to be approved for Phase III bond release, and the first area was within Usibelli’s Gold Run Pass mine back in 2011,” explained Joe Usibelli Jr., President of Usibelli Coal Mine. “It’s an honor to receive this award from my peers at ASRS. I am fortunate to work with several hard- working individuals who have helped make our reclamation plan so successful,” said Sivils. “While it takes decades to achieve Phase III bond release, and there were a number of reclamation engineers before me, it has been a highlight of my career to see the completion of such milestone,” he added. Usibelli Coal Mine is Alaska’s only operating coal mine and is located approximately 11 miles north to the entrance of Denali National Park. Started in 1943 by Emil Usibelli, Usibelli Coal Mine is still family owned and operated. Usibelli began reclaiming previously mined land even before it was required by the state or federal governments. “My grandfather, Emil, and my father Joe, set the precedent of restoring Alaska to the way we found it — wild and beautiful. This is a foundation to the work we do, and I am very proud of Rich and our reclamation team for carrying on the traditions of environmental stewardship, and for receiving the ASRS Award,” said Joe Usibelli Jr., Usibelli’s President, and CEO.
Photos Courtesy Usibelli Coal Mine The after-effects of the reclamation (below) from the previous site (above) at the Poker Flats Mine.
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Sen. Joe Manchin III, Sen. Lisa Murkowski Meet With AMA Leadership
Recently Sen. Joe Manchin III and Sen. Lisa Murkowski met in Alaska with our AMA leadership as well as representatives of the Alaska Chamber, The Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Alaska, Alaska Oil and Gas Association, Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. and Council of Alaska Producers. Manchin has been a great partner in the Senate and understands Alaska’s tremendous potential and ability to produce energy and minerals, and how that will in turn add to domestic and global resource security in a big way. We discussed the Willow Project, the Ambler Access Road, the Alaska Gasline, the Red Dog Mine, and impressed upon him the need for greater federal support for responsible and timely resource development.
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$1 Million Kinross Gift Boosts Troth Yeddha’ Initiative
Troth Yeddha’ Park, located between the Reichardt Building and the University of Alaska Museum of the North on UAF’s West Ridge. In 2013, both the UA Board of Regents and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names recognized “Troth Yeddha’” as the name of the ridge upon which the Fairbanks campus sits. The name, which means “Indian potato ridge” in the Lower Tanana Athabascan language, refers to Hedysarum alpinum, a plant with edible roots that is a traditional food for Alaska Native groups. The Troth Yeddha’ initiative aims to raise $40 million toward construction of the Indigenous Studies Center on the Troth Yeddha’ Park site. “We deeply appreciate Kinross Alaska’s generous donation and support to the Troth Yeddha’ Initiative,” said Aaron M. Schutt, Doyon, Limited president and CEO and chairman of the Troth Yeddha’ Legacy Committee. “The Indigenous Studies Center will be a place rich in culture, knowledge and healing for our future leaders of Alaska.” When complete, the center will serve as the administrative hub for UAF’s College of Rural and Community Development, which includes the Alaska
A $1 million donation from Kinross will bring the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks one step closer to reality. The gift will fund schematic design and bid specifications for the 34,000-square-foot facility at UAF. In addition to maximizing energy efficiency, UAF plans to explore ways to add renewable energy production and carbon- reduction technologies to the building, with a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions. “This is much more than a building. It is a space and a tangible symbol of honoring and valuing Alaska’s first people,” said Anna Atchison, external affairs director for Kinross Alaska. “This facility will help to shape and strengthen the future of Alaska Native students by creating a much-needed space for the current and planned growth of Indigenous programming at UAF.” Kinross approached UAF in summer 2021 to begin learning about the proposed facility and to discuss how a partnership could further the Troth Yeddha’ initiative. The company’s donation is part of its commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Fort Knox mine. UAF launched the Troth Yeddha’ initiative a decade ago, when university and Indigenous leaders dedicated
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Native Language Center, the Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development, and the Center for Cross- Cultural Studies, among other programs. The Indigenous Studies Center will allow growth in existing academic and research programs, as well as foster new ones. In addition, the center will make room to expand services that support Indigenous student success, from pre- college programs, like the Rural Alaska Honors Institute, to graduate research opportunities for Indigenous students. “This important project will position UAF as a global leader in Indigenous STEM science and innovation that will benefit our community, state and nation,” said Charlene Stern, UAF’s vice chancellor for rural, community and Native education. “This gift demonstrates Kinross’ commitment to the vision for Alaska Native and Indigenous programs that will help to meet Alaska’s workforce needs now and into the future.”
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NOVAGOLD Plans Aggressive 2022 Season
SAMPLE ARCHIVE SYSTEM, INC. A Better Way to Handle and Store Your Samples NOVAGOLD’s treasury remained strong with $155 million in cash and term deposits as of Feb. 28, with another $25 million due in July 2023 from Newmont, the total n Received the final set of assay results (21 complete holes and 22 partial holes, encompassing the remaining 8,500 meters of length drilled) from the 2021 drill program, reported jointly by Donlin Gold, Barrick, and NOVAGOLD on Feb. 28. The partners in the Donlin Gold project — NOVAGOLD and Barrick — have announced ambitious plans for 2022 building on a successful 2021 season. With the largest project budget in more than a decade, a plan is in place to advance Donlin Gold up the value chain in 2022 and position the project to be able to proceed with the preparation of an updated feasibility study, subject to Donlin Gold LLC Board approval. First quarter 2022 results include: n Reopened the camp in January 2022, the first quarter ended with three drill rigs operating and approximately 70 people on site, with a majority of Donlin Gold direct hire employees who are Alaska Native from the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region. COVID-19 mitigation protocols remain in effect.
Our flexibility and dedication have enabled us to become a top provider for the heavy civil construction and resource development industries. MOVING THE EARTH “NOVAGOLD is committed to the health, safety, and well-being of its personnel, visitors, and members of the multiple communities in which the company operates. We are proud of the fact that we have created a corporate culture that encourages safe practices for our workforce. Our safety achievement awards and being more than sufficient to advance Donlin Gold up the value chain. NOVAGOLD President and CEO Gregory A. Lang recounted successes from 2021 in the company’s 2021 annual report. “As we enter 2022, it is important to reflect on many milestones that were reached in 2021, a year in which we advanced our Donlin Gold project up the value chain against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic. And while the pandemic continues to affect us all, NOVAGOLD remains laser-focused on its top priority of ensuring the safety and well-being of employees, contractors, and the diverse community of stakeholders in its 50 percent-owned Donlin Gold project in Alaska. Our unwavering commitment to responsible mine development in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) region remains strong.” Safety remains job one, he added.
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$30 Million Will Go Toward Donlin Gold Project
performance recognition, both in the workplace and in our local communities, are highly sought after and hard- earned.” “Since the start of the pandemic, the majority of NOVAGOLD employees have been working remotely. Despite less in-person engagement, we have managed to stay more connected than ever before. During our 2021 field season, out of approximately 171,310 hours worked, we recorded four cases of COVID-19 at the Donlin Gold project site. The affected individuals fully recovered and ultimately returned to work.” “Looking ahead to 2022, NOVAGOLD and Barrick expect to finalize geologic modeling and interpretation work with results from the 2021 drill program for an updated resource model, which would then lead into an updated feasibility study. We are particularly intrigued by the 2022 work plan, which includes some exploration drilling under the ACMA and Lewis pit areas that are open along strike and at depth. “NOVAGOLD anticipates spending approximately $46 million in 2022. About $30 million will be allocated to fund our share of expenditures at the Donlin Gold project, representing the largest project budget in more than a decade. It includes $17 million for the 2022 drill program; $9 million for external affairs,
permitting, environmental, land, and legal activities; and $4 million for project planning and fieldwork. A total of $13 million is allocated for NOVAGOLD general corporate and administrative costs and an additional $3 million for withholding taxes on share-based compensation and other working capital. “I wish to thank the experienced team of professionals at NOVAGOLD, Donlin Gold, and Barrick, along with our drill crews and contractors at the project site, for their expert navigation of the project. Our success would not have been possible without their dedication and hard work. There’s tremendous commitment by each of these groups to maintain the highest standards of safety and environmental protection. “My gratitude also extends to the various State of Alaska agencies for their thorough and professional work in advancing permitting for the project. A big thank-you also goes to Calista and TKC, our Native Corporation partners who have been strong supporters in ensuring that Donlin Gold is developed to the highest standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to the entire NOVAGOLD board and team for their commitment and devotion to the company. I enjoy working alongside each and every one of you.”
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The Durability Project
Thank you to these companies, organizations and individuals who have pledged their support to AMA’s Durability Project! Your Contributions are invaluable in helping to ensure the future success of AMA’s mission and outreach.
HARD HAT HEROES
CORE SUPPORTERS
Contango Ore, Inc.
Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine
Constantine Mining, LLC
Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company
Donlin Gold LLC
Soloy Helicopters
Gold Buyers of Alaska: GBA Assaying & Refining
Usibelli Coal Mine
HighGold Mining Inc.
Kinross Alaska
NANA
Northern Star (Pogo) LLC
Oxford Assaying & Refining Corp
Pebble Limited Partnership
Redpath USA Corporation
Ruen Drilling, Inc.
Taiga Mining Company
Teck Alaska Red Dog Operations
Join this list - Sponsor today at www.alaskaminers.org/durability-sponsors
BLAST BUDDIES
Golder Associates Inc.
Petro Marine Services
ACZ Laboratories
Graphite One (Alaska) Inc.
Pro-Seal Service Group
Alaska Aggregate Products , LLC
H2T Mine Engineering Services LLP
Sandvik Mining and Rock
Alaska Land Status
Hawley Resource Group
Technology Sealaska Corporation
Alaska Minerals Inc.
HDR
SLR International Corporation
Aurora Resource Exploration LLC
Heliostar Metals Ltd
SRK Consulting
Austin Powder Company
Hyak Mining Company
Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Automatic Welding & Supply Corp.
Hy-Tech Drilling
Stevens Exploration Management Corp Stoel Rives LLP
Avalon Development Corp
International Directional Services
BGC Engineering Inc.
Jade North LLC
Boart Longyear Company
Surveyors Exchange Co
Jeffress & Associates
Boreal Environmental Services
The Law Office of James F. Clark
J P Tangen Attorney at Law (PC.)
Borell Consulting Services LLC
TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc
Kuna Engineering
ConocoPhillips
Trilogy Metals Inc.
Lawrence V. Albert Attorney at Law
Tundra Consulting, LLC
Lynden
ConstructionMachineryIndustrial, LLC Contech Engineered Solutions
Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
Matson
US Ecology Alaska, LLC
McKinley Research Group, LLC
Core Geoscience LLC
Weir Minerals North America
Millrock Resources Inc.
Denali Industrial Supply, Inc
Western Alaska Copper & Gold
Mining and Petroleum Training Service Minto Development Corporation
DGI Geoscience US Inc.
Wood & Wood Technical
Doyon, Limited
Zonge International Inc.
Elemetal Direct
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Individuals:
Energy Laboratories Inc.
Northrim Bank
Paul Glavinovich
Fairweather, LLC
Northspan Drilling Ltd.
David Heatwole
Fireweed Strategies,LLC
Nova Minerals Limited
Ken Hall
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Larry Peterson
Frontier Supply
John Shively
Owl Ridge Natural Resource Consultants
General Refining and Smelting Corporation
Richard Lessard
Paul & Company
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FEATURED PHOTO: Coeur MSHA Refresher Training; Send In Your Photos!
Photo Courtesy Coeur Alaska Every spring, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine holds its companywide Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Annual Refresher Trainings. Refresher Training is required for all employees and is a great opportunity to strengthen their knowledge and skills around a variety of health and safety topics. A big thanks to the Coeur Safety team that organizes and hosts this large event every year! Got a photo of your team in action? Share it with our readers! Just email to admin@FireweedStrategies.com.
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LET’S CELEBRATE: A Brief History of Mining Day
Alaska has a rich mining history, with its roots in the mining of copper, jade, and gold by Alaska Natives long before the famous gold rushes brought miners, adventurers, merchants, and their families north to follow their dreams. Their interest and pursuit of minerals built towns, roads, ports and railroads in what was then the
Established in 2013, Alaska Mining Day was created through legislation sponsored by Sen. Cathy Giessel, R-Anchorage, “to recognize and honor the intrepid individuals and industry that played an enormous role in settling and developing the territory and the state and that continue to contribute to the economy of the state.” During, before and since her service in the Alaska Senate, Cathy has been an active supporter of and regular attendee of Alaska Mining Association events and concerns. We thank her for creating this unique opportunity to both celebrate our legacy and to educate all Alaskans of the value of responsible mining to our state. On May 10, 1872, the General Mining Act of the United States was approved — it governs mineral development on federal lands. This law has been amended more than 50 times, but its essential principles remain in place: If a citizen explores federal public land not otherwise designated as a park, refuge or other protected status, and with their own energy, intellect, finances and hard work finds a valuable mineral deposit, that citizen, after obtaining the required environmental and operating permits, has the right to develop that deposit.
Territory of Alaska. Today, mining is a top economic driver for our state. Alaska’s six large mines, hundreds of placer mines, and dozens of exploration projects provide for 9,000 jobs with an average annual wage of $108,600, twice the state average. These jobs employ residents in more than 55 communities throughout Alaska, more than half of which are in rural areas where there are few other job opportunities. In 2017, our mines contributed nearly
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NOW THEREFORE, I, Mike Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim May 10, 2020 as Alaska Mining Day in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to recognize the importance of mining in the founding and early development of Alaska’s history, and to appreciate the efforts of all Alaskans involved in the mining industry today. vendors, and paid $250 million to Alaska Native Corporations throughout the state. Mining truly “works” for Alaska and is a significant portion of our state’s economic portfolio. Today, as Alaska faces staggering fiscal challenges, it is imperative that we explore how mining in Alaska can grow and increase the benefits realized by residents, businesses, governments and Alaska Native entities. $150 million in local and state government revenues, spent $580 million with 600 Alaska
Cathy Giessel (at left and above), the Alaska senator who sponsored Mining Day legislation, with her grandchildren at Mining Day.
ALASKA MINERALS INC. 8121 SCHOON STREET ANCHORAGE, AK 99518
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www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2022
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Alaska Minerals Commission Releases Report Detailing Priorities
The Alaska Minerals Commission recently released its 2022 report of Alaska Mineral Priorities. The 11-member Commission (AMC) serves in an advisory capacity to the Governor and the Alaska State Legislature. Five members are appointed by the Governor (one of whom must reside in a rural community), three members are appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members are appointedby the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Commission’srole is to recommend strategiesto mitigate constraints on mineral development in Alaska. For more than 30 years, the AMC has worked with the State of Alaska and the Alaska State Legislature to successfully implement key recommendations that support a strong and sustainable Alaska mineralsindustry. This report builds upon past work with the intent to identify state and federal issues that can block responsible development. For 2022, the AMC identified a number of priorities which we are reprint below: Top Priority: Continue to defend and promote the minerals and mining industry in Alaska. Alaska is well-known for its excellent geologic potential. In
the past, the State of Alaska’s reputation as a hospitable location for investment has suffered from inconsistent support for mineral resource development by State of Alaska leadership. This changed when Governor Dunleavy, Commissioner Feige, Commissioner Brune, Commissioner Vincent-Lang and Chief Policy Director Huber started attending and promoting Alaska at mining conventions. The AMC wants to give a special thank you to the Governor and the State of Alaska for defending and promoting the minerals and mining industry in Alaska. The Commission encourages the Governor’s administration and the Legislature to continue to work together into the future to ensure industry leaders in the United States and around the world know that mining and minerals development are welcome in Alaska. The clear, concise and proactive communication to prospectors, family miners, small mining companies, major mining companies and investors from the Governor’s administration and the Legislature have helped attract the mineral investment needed to develop Alaska’s future mines. Alaska is ranked fifth in the world for overall investment attractiveness by mining and exploration companies based on its geologic attractiveness and government policy towards exploration investment
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State Priorities: 1) Predictability of the State of Alaska permitting timeframes 2) Reallocate portions of the State of Alaska mining license tax to communities, while precluding targeted local severance taxes 3) Address key State of Alaska regulations governing water use 4) Support the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys 5) Modernize the online mineral claim staking and claim management system 6) Encourage the Governor’s administration to continue challenging ballot initiatives that seek to regulate natural resource development Federal Priorities: 1) Industry must have a clear path to wetland compensatory mitigation requirements 2) Advocate for a consistent definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS) - 2021 3) Defend against federal overreach The report is available online at: www.commerce. alaska.gov/web/Portals/4/pub/Alaska%20Minerals%20 Commission/2021%20Alaska%20Minerals%20 Commision%20Report%2020211229.pdf
according to the Fraser Institute Annual Survey of Mining Companies in 2020. Alaska was also ranked fifth out of seventy-seven jurisdictions internationally for mineral potential, assuming a “best practices” policy regime. Increased investment in minerals exploration and mining is essential to diversify the State of Alaska’s economic underpinnings. While “more than 190 million acres of federal, State of Alaska, and Native-owned lands are open for minerals-related activities and mining,” the existence of a resource isn’t compelling enough on its own to bring outside business to Alaska. Attracting investment requires companies to have faith in the State of Alaska’s economic stability, reasonable regulatory environment, and ongoing support of the minerals industry at the highest levels of government. Recommendations: The Alaska Minerals Commission recommends the Governor’s administration and the Legislature continue to create a shared message to minerals and mining companies that investment in, and development of, Alaska’s mineral resources are welcome. The Commission further recommends continued and increasing levels of outreach by the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Commissioner and the Governor’s administration to major mining companies and industry associations, defining the advantages of investing and exploring in Alaska, and inviting these companies to explore and develop in the State of Alaska.
MIDNIGHT SUN DRILLING INC.
Since 1970 Serving the North for Over 50 Years
Contract Reverse Circulation Drilling Services for the Mineral Exploration Industry
2166 Steese Hwy. Fairbanks, AK 99712 | 6 Chadburn Crescent, Whitehorse Yukon Y1A 5Z3 P: 867.633.2626 | F: 867.633.2628 | info@MidnightSunDrilling.com www.MidnightSunDrilling.com
years 1970-2020
WHITEHORSE Y.T.
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2022
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Corporate Members
Please support and thank these companies who have renewed their support and corporate membership in AMA. Their continued support makes possible all the work we do in and for the mining industry. A & D Drilling ACZ Laboratories Inc. Advanced Supply Chain International LLC AECOM Ahtna Inc. AIDEA Alaska Aggregate Products LLC Alaska Airlines Hyak Mining Company IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association Industrial Pumps of Alaska
Colaska Colorado Mining Association Columbia River Carbonates Commonwealth North CONAM Construction Company ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. Construction Machinery Industrial LLC Consumer Energy Alliance Contango ORE, Inc. Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Craig Taylor Equipment Company Crowley Fuels LLC Cruise Lines International Alaska Cryopeak LNG Solutions Cummins Sales & Service Cyr Drilling USA Inc. Dawson City Chamber of Commerce Delta Constructors Delta Industrial Services Inc. Denali Industrial Supply Inc. Desert Air Alaska DGI Geoscience US Donlin Gold LLC Dorsey & Whitney LLP DOWL Doyon, Limited DXP Alaska Pump & Supply Eastern Oregon Mining Association Ecological Land Services Inc. Energy Laboratories Inc. Equipment Source, Inc. ERM Alaska ESS Support Services Everts Air Cargo F.R. Bell & Associates, Inc. Fairbanks Economic Develpment Corporation Fairweather LLC First Bank First Things First Alaska Foundation Freegold Ventures Ltd Frontier Supply Company GCI Business General Refining Corporation Geosyntec Consultants Geotemps Inc. Global Physical Asset Management, Inc. Gold Buyers of Alaska -dba:GBA Assaying & Refining Granite Construction Company Graphite One Inc. Graymont Great Northwest Inc. Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Ground Truth Americas Inc. HDR Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Heliostar Metals HighGold Mining Ltd Holland America Line - Princess Cruises Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd.
Property Rights Foundation of America, Inc. Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Ram Enterprise, Inc. Ravn Alaska Redpath USA Corporation Remote Made Easy (PSSA) Remote Site Services Inc. Resource Development Council Rotak Helicopter Services Roughstock Mining Services LLC Royal Gold Inc. Ruen Drilling Inc. Ryan Air Inc. Samson Tug & Barge Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology Satellite Technical Service Sealaska Corporation Shoreside Petroleum Inc. SLR International Corporation Society For Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Soloy Helicopters LLC Sophie Station Suites - Fountainhead Hotels Sound Quarry Inc. Southeast Conference SRK Consulting Stantec Consulting Inc. Stoel Rives LLP Sundance Mining Group Swick Drilling North America T & J Enterprises Inc. Taiga Mining Company Inc. TDX Corporation Teck Alaska Inc. - Red Dog Tectonic Metals Inc. Temsco Helicopters Inc. The Alaska Support Industry Alliance The Silver Institute TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc. Tower Hill Mines Inc. - Livengood Project Trilogy Metals, Inc. Tyler Rental Inc. Ucore Rare Metals Inc. University Redi-Mix US Ecology Alaska, LLC Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Utah Mining Association Veritiv Visit Anchorage Weir Minerals Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company Western Pacific Crane & Equipment
Institute of Northern Engineering International Directional Services Ipop LLC ISCO Industries JCM Industries Inc. Juneau Economic Development Council Just Refiners USA, Inc. Kinross Alaska Klondike Placer Miners’ Association Knight Piesold & Company Koza Ltd USA Inc Lifewater Engineering Company Lignite Energy Council Lynden M-W Drilling, Inc Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Mascott Equipment Company Matson McKinley Research Group
Alaska Business Alaska Chamber
Alaska Coastal Aggregates LLC Alaska Commercial Fishing & Agricultural Bank Alaska Forest Association Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. Alaska Industrial Hardware Inc Alaska Oil and Gas Association Alaska Policy Forum Alaska Power & Telephone Company Alaska Railroad Corporation Alaska Resource Education Alaska Rock Products Association Alaska Roteq Alaska Trucking Association Ambler Metals LLC American Exploration & Mining Association American Land Rights Association Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Anchorage Sand & Gravel Inc. Arcticom LLC, a BSNC Company Arizona Mining Association Aspen Hotels of Alaska Associated General Contractors of Alaska Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia Aurora Geosciences (Alaska) Ltd. Automatic Welding & Supply Avidian Gold Corporation AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center BDO USA, LLP Beacon Occupational Health and Safety Services, Inc. Blackwolf Copper & Gold Ltd. Bobcat of Juneau Boreal Environmental Services Boyer Towing Inc. Brenntag Pacific Brice Inc. Brilliant Media Strategies Alaska, Inc. Brownson Bros Builders Choice Modular, LLC C & R Pipe and Steel Inc. CalCIMA Calista Corporation Carlile Chamber of Mines of Eastern British Columbia Chugach Alaska Corporation City of Ketchikan Coastal Helicopters Coeur Alaska - Kensington Mine
Metco Alaska LLC MFCP/Jackovich Millrock Resources Inc.
Mitsubishi Materials USA Corp Montana Mining Association Motion Industries, Inc. NANA National Mining Association Nelson Irrigation Corporation Nevada Mining Association New Mexico Mining Association NISS NMS North Coast Electric North Star Terminal & Stevedore Co. LLC Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Anchorage) Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Palmer) Northern Permafrost Consulting Northern Star (Pogo) LLC Northrim Bank Northspan Drilling Ltd. Northwest Mine Supply Northwest Pump Northwest Territories & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Nova Minerals Limited NovaGold Resources Inc. Orica USA Inc. Oxford Assaying & Refining
Pathfinder Aviation, LLC PDC Engineers/RESPEC Pebble Limited Partnership Peggy Petroleum Products Perkins Coie LLP Petro Marine Services PND Engineers Inc. PolarX Limited
White Rock Minerals Ltd. Wolseley Industrial Group Women’s Mining Coalition World Trade Center Alaska Wyoming Mining Association
Yukon Chamber of Mines Zonge International Inc. www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2022
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New and Renewing Members
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association in February. You make AMA possible! Corporations Ahtna Inc.
Steve Denton Brianna Force Peter Grieve Doug Isaacson Bob Loeffler
Kathryn & Thomas Lamal John Lamborn Greg Lang Richard J Lenz PHD Chester Lide James G & Lorna Lounsbury Todd MacManus
Alaska Aggregate Products LLC Alaska Coastal Aggregates LLC Ambler Metals LLC Anchorage Sand & Gravel Inc.
Harold J Noyes Leslie Olmstead Michael & Sarah Satre Jusdi Warner
Bobcat of Juneau Boyer Towing Inc. Brenntag Pacific C & R Pipe and Steel Inc. Carlile
Jerry McBeath Calum McClure Mac Meiners Lance Miller Ramona Monroe Nick Morgan Graham Neale
Individual Trent Anderson Casey Bain Jack Beckman Frank Bergstrom John Bernal Jeff Boehm Wescott Bott Joe Bovee David Butherus Brian Butterworth
Chugach Alaska Corporation Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Craig Taylor Equipment Company Cryopeak LNG Solutions DOWL DXP Alaska Pump & Supply Equipment Source, Inc. First Bank Frontier Supply Company Graymont HDR Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. IBEW Local 1547 Lifewater Engineering Company Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Motion Industries, Inc. NANA Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Palmer) NovaGold Resources Inc. Ruen Drilling Inc. Sophie Station Suites - Fountainhead Hotels Stantec Consulting Inc. Stoel Rives LLP Teck Alaska Red Dog TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc.
Ed Paradis Josh Parks
Jennifer Payne Patricia Peirsol Larry Peterson Colin Phillips David Phillips Jerry Pilgrim Craig Pueschel Dave Reaves Steve Reidsma Lance Roberts
Rick Circle Joey Crum Chris Devine Mikahla deVries-Paris
Mischa Ellanna Kevin J Eppers Ramzi Fawaz Nick Ferree Jerry Fleishman Emily Garcia Will Godbey Wayne Hall Kent Halvorsen Emily Hart Timothy Hayes Chuck Heath Vicky Hiltwein J.R. Hoback Penny Hobbie Kerry Jones Leo Kerin Janet Klatt
Victor Ross Arlan Ruen Patrick Seidl Suzanne Settle Jessica Short Craig Smith Dave & Peggy Talerico Jules Tileston Bill Vivlamore Janice Walker Robert & Renae Wall Timothy Ward Andy West Dennis M Wilfer Karen Wilken Kirk & Katherine Zerkel Ryan Zins
Professional Trey Acteson Stephen Ball
Not yet a member of the Alaska Miners Association? Or have not yet renewed your membership for 2022? Renew today so you don’t miss a single issue of The Alaska Miner or this year’s 2022 Alaska Miners Handbook and Service Directory, available only to AMA members. Call or email Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director 907-270-9232; jennifer@AlaskaMiners.org.
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