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
• Mineral Exploration • Precision Lift & Placement • Fire Suppression • Environmental Resource • Oil & Gas • Arctic Operations
PROVEN IN ALASKA FOR ANY ENVIRONMENT ON EARTH. ANCHORAGE, AK 907-257-1550 PATHFINDERAVIATION.COM
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May 2022 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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