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
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Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
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May 2022 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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