A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Miners, Members, Supporters and Friends: This is one of the most fun Alaska Miner Journals we have put together in a while. Just look at the photos of people, gathered together, in the same room, doing a celebration! I lost track of how many times I said and heard, “It is so great to be doing this again” on Alaska Mining Day. The more than 200 attendees of our educational presentations, luncheon where we were all guests of the Fairbanks Chamber, and the party, had a fantastic time learning current issues and updates, celebrating achievements and catching up with old friends who are family. We initially set out to hold an event similar to that done in Anchorage in 2019, a party with a few short remarks and more focused on networking. However, following a two-year absence of events and having a lot of good stories to tell, the staff, board and planning committee quickly realized Alaska Mining Day 2022 needed to be bigger. Who you won’t see much of in the photos throughout this issue are Dave “Zoom” Szumigala, Vanessa Larimer, Dave Larimer, Lisa Herbert, Jamie Marunde, Jen Wieland, Wendie MacNaughton, Rick Solie, Ken Hall, Dave Hoeffel, Brenna Schaake, Anna Atchison, Bartly Kleven, Jennifer Luiten and Darlene Strickland. The staff and Planning Committee of Alaska Mining Day 2022 in Fairbanks worked hard behind the scenes not just that day, but for weeks beforehand,
things run smoothly. I can honestly say this is one of the best groups I’ve ever worked with. I’ll never forget Zoom sending 3 a.m. emails, Dave and Vanessa wheeling carts and carts full of supplies, Lisa crawling underneath a table to get the audio visuals to work. There is no task that you could throw at this committee that it wouldn’t conquer. So, while they are not in photos and you may not have even had a chance to say hi to them that day, I really hope you will reach out to them and thank them for their efforts. Alaska Mining Day in 2022 was a great success and the kind of kick-start we needed to begin this summer and keep up the strong advocacy to protect and grow our industry. We showcased our industry’s tremendous benefits to Alaskans and our communities, boasted about our exemplary safety and environmental record, and shared the educational and workforce development opportunities that lie ahead. These bright lights set the stage as to why we need more mining to supply the world with the minerals we will increasingly need more of, and all the great reasons that mining should be done right here in Alaska. Thank you to ALL of you who planned, attended, sponsored, spoke and participated in Alaska Mining Day!
bringing us the perfect event. I was frequently and repeatedly amazed by what this group came up with. From brainstorming the perfect event, location and topics of interest that comes from a love of their community of Fairbanks, to the menial and labor- intensive tasks leading up to event deployment, to the day of just making
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
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I June 2022
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