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.
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February 2023 Volume 51, Number 2
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
Photo courtesy Kensington Mine
See You In Juneau!
Join us March 7 for the First Juneau Mining Forum Sponsored by the Council of Alaska Producers and AMA
A Message from the Executive Director
Dear AMA Members and Friends, I’m very excited to tell you about the first ever Juneau Mining Forum, hosted by AMA and the Council of Alaska Producers! We Alaska miners love to get together each spring, after a long cold winter, and before heading afield for a long summer mining season. The great attendance at our past spring conventions in Fairbanks, and last year’s Mining Day celebration reinforced that. This isn’t actually a “new” thought. For some years, we hosted a Spring Convention in Juneau, in the alternating years when there wasn’t a Fairbanks event being held. We’d consulted with our Juneau Branch and concluded that while the traditional Convention setup wasn’t ideal for Juneau, we still want to host an event in the Capital City that showcases our industry and tells our story. We came up with a great idea for a one-day forum ... in 2020. I don’t have to tell you where that went, and as 2021 and 2022 passed, with pandemic-related gathering restrictions and then the capacity for venues to host us, we continued to pursue this idea. Finally, this March, we’re able to hold the Forum. We could not be more excited. Many Alaskans never knew, but we’d never forget, that there’d never have been a Juneau without mining. Our state capital today still sits upon the tailings of historic mines
as the Pogo Mine in Interior. We also feature sessions on critical and essential miners for Alaska and our nation, Transboundary mining, building the local workforce, environmental regulations at Alaska’s mines and projects, an update from AIDEA, and economic and community benefits of mining for Alaska. Our speakers hail from industry, regulatory agencies, academic and training entities, and the government of British Columbia. And, we’re both thrilled and appreciative that our sessions are being moderated by Senators Cathy Giessel and Jesse Kiehl, and Representatives Dan Saddler, Zack Fields and Josiah Patkotak! A complete agenda for the day is on page 4 of this Journal. Our primary goal is to educate attendees about the industry in Alaska and we here is the right place to get the minerals our nation needs — our environmental excellence, safety standards, community partnerships, and the long-term economic benefits and opportunities brought by mining. Karen Matthias from the Council of Alaska Producers and I are looking forward to telling our great story. More detail and updates are on our website at AlaskaMiners.org. Please join us!
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that were once the largest in the world and which heralded modern Alaska. Today, the Greens Creek and Kensington Mines are among the most successful and environmentally conscious mines in the world, and dozens of potential projects in Southeast (and statewide, for that matter) have a promising future. We’re assembled an impressive day of speakers for the Juneau Forum, representing those mines as well AMA Executive Director Deantha Skibinski recently testified to the Senate Labor & Commerce Committee on workforce challenges for the industry.
SO YOUR IRON WILL BE EVEN MORE EFFICIENT.
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
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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.
ANCHORAGE BRANCH 5400 Homer Drive Anchorage, AK 99518
FAIRBANKS BRANCH 2615 20th Ave Fairbanks, AK 99709
JUNEAU BRANCH 5302 Commercial Blvd
KETCHIKAN BRANCH 7332 N. Tongass Hwy. Ketchikan, AK 99901 (907) 247-2228 (907) 247-2229 F
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
Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 802-4242 (907) 802-4340 F
(907) 563-3822 (907) 563-13B1 F
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Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
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Alaska Mining Forum In Juneau
Make your plans now! March 7, 2023 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Randy Bates, Director, Division of Water, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Christy Colles, Director, Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Ben Mulligan, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game James Whitlock, Mining Inspection and Enforcement Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management - Alaska Matthew Reece, Minerals and Geology Program Manager, U.S. Forest Service Moderated by Representative Dan Saddler n 3:45-4:00 Update from AIDEA Randy Ruaro, Executive Director n 4:00-4:30 Economic and Community Benefits of Mining in Alaska Deantha Skibinski, Alaska Miners Association Karen Matthias, Council of Alaska Producers n 4:30 Wrap up and Adjourn , with invitation to Reception n 5:00-7:00 Reception hosted by Alaska Miners Association, Associated General Contractors of Alaska, and Alaska Trucking Association, Hangar Ballroom More information and Registration at AlaskaMiners.org
Strategy, British Columbia Andrew Rollo, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, British Columbia Moderated by Senator Jesse Kiehl n 11:45-Noon Break n Noon - 1:30 p.m.: Keynote Luncheon with General Managers of Alaska’s mines Steve Ball, General Manager, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine Brian Erickson, General Manager, Hecla Greens Creek Mine Jim Coxon, Vice President - Operations, Northern Star Resources Moderated by Representative Josiah Patkotak n 1:30-1:45 Break n 1:45-2:45 Building the Local Workforce Katie Coyle, Human Resources Manager, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine Debra Ore, Human Resource Manager, Hecla Greens Creek Mine Bill Bieber, Executive Director, Mining and Petroleum Training Service Ella Ede, Executive Director, Alaska Resource Education Moderated by Representative Zack Fields n 2:45-3:45 Environmental Regulations at Alaska’s Mines and Projects
Baranof Hotel Treadwell Room A full day of key speakers and updates on key Alaska mining issues and opportunities, plus an evening reception with your elected officials in Juneau!
n 8:30 a.m.: Doors open,
continental breakfast served
n 9:00: Welcome Remarks n 9:15-10:15: Critical and Essential Minerals for Alaska and our Nation Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley, Vice President, External & Government Affairs, NANA Regional Corporation Bob Loeffler, Research Professor of Public Policy, UAA institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) Mike Satre, Director, Governmental Affairs, Hecla Ltd. Greta Schuerch, Senior Advisor, Government & External Affairs, Teck Moderated by Senator Cathy Giessel n 10:15-10:45 Morning Break n 10:45-11:45: Transboundary Mining Commissioner Jason Brune, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation Laurel Nash, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change
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4 February 2023 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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Thank You to All These Wonderful and Generous Sponsors Who Helped Make Alaska Night at Roundup 2023 possible!
n Constantine Mining, LLC n Contango ORE Inc.
Alaska Night at Roundup 2023 was a huge success! And a superb chance to again showcase all that is great about Alaska Mining to the rest of the world. Thank you to all of the organizations and people that helped make it possible! n Alaska Earth Sciences n Alaska Log Works Inc. n Alaska Midnight Sun Drilling Inc.
n Jeffress & Associates n Just Refiners USA, Inc. n Lost River Mining, Inc. n MES Mining n Millrock Resources n NANA n PND Engineers, Inc. n Red Diamond Mining Co. n Roughstock Mining Services n Ruen Drilling, Inc. n SRK Consulting Canada Inc n Stantec n Stoel Rives LLP n Tagiuk Gold
n Techline Alaska n Timberline Drilling Inc n Tower Hill Mines Inc.-Livengood Project
n Doyon, Limited n Fred Wolowic
n Freegold Ventures Limited n Greenstone Station, Inc. n HDR n Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company
n Tubutulik Mining Co. LLC n Tundra Consulting, LLC
n U.S. GoldMining Inc. n Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. n Western Alaska Minerals n Yukuskokon Professional Services, LLC n Zonge International Inc. We're already looking forward to next year!
n Heliostar Metals Ltd n High Gold Mining Inc.
n Alaska Minerals, Inc. n BGC Engineering, Inc.
n Hope Mining Company, Inc. n Horst Expediting and Remote Operations, Inc n IMDEX
n Borealis Fuels and Logistics Ltd. n Borell Consulting Services LLC n Calista Corporation n Chulitna Mining Company LLC
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Alaska Night at Roundup 2023
Photos by Lorali Simon, Deantha Skibinski and Blake Bogart AMA Vice President Blake Bogart and Executive Director Deantha Skibinski with AEMA’s Mark Compton at Alaska Night.
Alaska Night drew a standing-room-only crowd of both Alaska miners and those wanting to learn more about Alaska mining.
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Alaska Night at Roundup 2023
FOR SALE
19 STATE CLAIMS IN VALDEZ CREEK MINING DISTRICT CLEARWATER MOUNTAIN RANGE, ALASKA Total 760 acres. Placer and Load claims. Virgin ground has one mile on Roosevelt Creek and one mile on El Dorado Creek. ( source: Black Creek fault ) Resistivity mapping of bedrock 08/2022
Photos by Lorali Simon, Deantha Skibinski and Blake Bogart Alaska Night at the AME-Roundup in British Columbia is the state mining industry’s opportunity to showcase the power and rich potential of Alaska mining, as well as meet and network with mining representatives from both the Lower 48 and Canada. The 2023 Alaska Night was a huge success, as these photos testify, made possible by our many generous sponsors.
( Storm Exploration LLC ) located great pre-glacier drilling targets. FOR SALE AT $2500 AN ACRE $1,900,000
Inquiries to Fred Wolowic: fredwolowic@gmail.com 916-749-2912
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Northern Star Resources Becomes Shareholder in PolarX
PolarX Limited (Company) (ASX:PXX) is pleased to advise that it has received further firm commitments to raise a total of approximately $1.48 million via a placement to Northern Star Resources Limited (ASX:NST) of 94,200,000 fully paid ordinary shares (Shares) at an issue price of 0.8 cents per Share to raise $753,600 (Placement); and placement of the remaining 90,663,222 Shortfall Offer Shares at an issue price of 0.8 cents per Share (Shortfall Placement), raising an additional $725,306 pursuant to the Shortfall Offer and the prospectus dated 26 October 2022. PolarX has now raised approximately $3.63 million since 30 November 2022 as drilling continues at the Humboldt Range Project in Nevada. Northern Star Resources Limited (Northern Star) subscribed for a total of 135,333,702 Shares under the Placement and Shortfall Placement,
representing approximately 10% of the Company’s issued capital post raise.
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Northern Star is an ASX-listed gold company with a current market capitalization of $12 billion. A top 10 global gold producer, Northern Star own and operates mines in Western Australia and Alaska. PolarX welcomes Northern Star’s entry into the share register as a fellow Australian company operating in North America and looks forward to a mutually rewarding relationship. The Placement and Shortfall Placement Shares were issued in December 2022. Net proceeds from the Placement and Shortfall Placement will be used to fund exploration and development activities at the Company’s Humboldt Range Project and Alaska Range Project and provide general working capital.
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Cathy Munoz Named Acting Labor Department Commissioner
Advertising deadlines are fast approaching to reserve your space in the three Alaska Miners Association publications: n The 2023 Alaska Miners Handbook and Service Directory n The Alaska Miner Magazine n The Alaska Miner Journal Ensure your advertising message is reaching Alaska’s mining industry throughout 2023 LAST CALL!
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed Cathy Munoz acting commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, replacing Commissioner Dr. Tamika Ledbetter who resigned Jan. 31. Dr. Ledbetter was appointed as Commissioner of the Department of Labor and Workforce Development at beginning of the Dunleavy Administration in 2018. “I am very much looking forward to spending time with my family, traveling abroad and welcoming the birth of our first grandchild,” said Dr. Ledbetter. She began her career with the State of Alaska in 2007 as a Career Development Specialist. During her tenure with the Department, she was the manager of the Mat-Su Job Center and later served as the regional manager for
the Anchorage/ Mat-Su Economic Region before being appointed Commissioner. Her years of public service are greatly appreciated by Alaskans across the state. Acting Commissioner Munoz has been with the department since
December 2018 as its deputy commissioner. She represented Juneau for four terms as a member of the Alaska House of Representatives, and three terms on the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly. Acting Commissioner Munoz resides in Juneau with her husband, Juan.
ALASKA MINERALS INC. 8121 SCHOON STREET ANCHORAGE, AK 99518
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NovaGold Reports Progress on Donlin Gold Project
National Mining Association Makes Organizational Changes
NovaGold recently release its results for fiscal year 2022, with an update on the Donlin Gold project and have provided a few highlights below. In 2022, the following milestones were achieved at Donlin Gold: n The comprehensive 141-hole, 42,331-meter drill program was successfully completed ahead of schedule, with multiple high-grade gold intercepts reported from the last set of assays and the advancement of key project efforts. n The success of the 2022 drill program is due to the exceptional dedication of the Donlin Gold team in Anchorage and at site, the majority of which are local hires from 24 different communities in the Yukon- Kuskokwim region, who all share the goal of protecting the health and safety of their colleagues. n In partnership with Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation, NovaGold pursued its stakeholder and government engagement efforts in the Y-K region, Alaska and Washington, D.C.: 1. Crooked Creek, the closest community to the project site in the Y-K region formally expressed its support of Donlin Gold; 2. Four additional Shared Value Statements were signed with Y-K villages, for a total of 12; 3. Five local hires from the 2022 drill program signed on as Donlin Gold Community Liaison representatives in their villages (Marshall, Tuluksak, Nikolai, Napaskiak, and Pilot Station); and 4. Calista and Donlin Gold continued their proactive, bipartisan outreach in Alaska as well as with the Administration and Congress in Washington, D.C. n Environmental and social investment focused on the Y-K region spanned from supporting important health and safety initiatives in remote communities to cultural preservation efforts and educational programming in collaboration with school districts and other organizations. Key achievements included: 1. Conducted multiple fishery studies, reclamation work and other environmental activities. 2. Supported various search and rescue teams in the region, funded the Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation and Bethel Community Services Foundation, as well as sponsored and participated in the Alaska Safe Riders initiative, which promotes safety for year-round outdoor sports. 3. Fostered education, community wellness and cultural preservation through several river studies, and support for the local school district and educational organizations, youth sporting activities, and initiatives
led by Traditional Councils and Native communities. n As a federally permitted project on private Alaska Native Corporation land designated by law for mining activities and with key State permits in hand, activities continued to keep our permits in good standing. Major milestones included: 1. Applied for a new air quality permit from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. A draft permit was issued for public comment in December 2022. 2. Submitted application to ADEC for the regularly scheduled re-issuance of its Alaska Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which is now complete and will remain in effect until the State completes the re- issuance. 3. On Nov. 1, 2022, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (ADNR) finalized the relocation plan for public easements in the mine site and transportation facility areas — decisions which were not appealed. For more information, contact Frank Gagnon, Manager, Investor Relations, 604-669-6227
President Rich Nolan has announced internal restructuring at the National Mining Association (NMA). Katie Sweeney has been promoted to Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer. In this elevated role, Katie will be part of the Office of the President, helping oversee the day-to-day functions of the association as well as critical NMA program platforms such as strategic development and membership recruitment, organized labor outreach, the work of the Environmental, Social and Governance task force, and CORESafety. As part of that realignment, Veronika Shime, Paul Krivokuca, and Catherine Krill will also move to the Office of the President. NMA’s Tawny Bridgeford has been promoted to General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Regulatory Affairs, taking over the management of the regulatory and legal affairs department; she is already hard at work as the regulatory and legal pressure on the mining industry
show no signs of easing. Working to address the opportunities and challenges of the split control of Congress, NMA has beefed-up the Government and Political Affairs department. Justin Prosser and Scott Gemperline have been elevated to Directors, Political and Government Affairs, and MK Kirlin to Manager, Political and Government Affairs. The recent hire of James Young as Director, Political and Government Affairs, rounds out the full bipartisan government affairs team for the 118th Congress. Wil MacPherson has been promoted to Associate, Office of the President and Government Affairs, assisting Rich and Katie, as well as Ryan Jackson in the Government Affairs shop. “I am proud of the strong team we have built with your help at the NMA,” Nolan said. “These changes are designed to strategically strengthen our capabilities and meet the coming opportunities and challenges head on.”
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Corporate Members
Corporate Members
Sealaska Corporation Semperit Conveyor Belting 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 Sullivan Water Wells Sundance Mining Group Swick Drilling North America T & J Enterprises Inc. Tagiuk Gold, LLC 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 Tower Hill Mines Inc. - Livengood Project Trilogy Metals, Inc. Tyler Rental Inc. U.S. GoldMining Inc Ucore Rare Metals Inc. University Redi-Mix US Ecology Alaska, LLC Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Utah Mining Association Valdez Creek Mining Veritiv-Alaska Victus Solutions Group Visit Anchorage Weir Minerals Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Western Alaska Minerals Western Pacific Crane & Equipment White Rock Minerals Ltd. Women’s Mining Coalition World Trade Center Alaska Wyoming Mining Association
New Mexico Mining Association NISS NMS North Star Terminal &
Ground Truth Americas Inc. HDR Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Heliostar Metals Ltd. HighGold Mining Inc. Holland & Hart LLP Holland America Line - Princess Cruises Horst Expediting & Remote Operations Inc. Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. Hyak Mining Company IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association IMDEX Industrial Pumps of Alaska Institute of Northern Engineering International Directional Services Ipop LLC ISCO Development Council Just Refiners USA, Inc. Kinross Alaska Klondike Placer Miners’ Association Knight Piesold & Company Kuna Engineering Lifewater Engineering Company Lignite Energy Council Lynden Logistics M-W Drilling, Inc Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Mascott Equipment Company Matson McKinley Research Group Metco Alaska LLC MFCP Millrock Resources Inc. JCM Industries Inc. Juneau Economic Mitsubishi Materials USA Corp Montana Mining Association Motion Industries MTA NANA Regional Corp National Mining Association Nebari Partners Nelson Irrigation Corporation Nevada Mining Association
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 LLC ACZ Labs Advanced Supply Chain International LLC AECOM Ahtna Inc. AIDEA Airgas USA, LLC Alaska Oil and Gas Association Alaska Policy Forum Alaska Power & Telephone Company Associated General Contractors of Alaska Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia Aurora Geosciences (Alaska) Ltd. Automatic Welding & Supply
Craig Taylor Equipment Company 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 ESS Support Services Worldwide Everts Air Cargo Fairbanks Economic Develpment Corporation Fairweather LLC Felix Gold Ltd Ferguson Industrial First Bank First Things First Alaska Foundation Freegold Ventures Ltd Frontier Supply Company GCI Business General Refining Corporation Geosyntec Consultants
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 Colaska Colorado Mining Association Columbia River Carbonates Commonwealth North CONAM Construction Company ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. Constantine Mining LLC Construction Machinery Industrial LLC Consumer Energy Alliance Contango Ore, Inc. Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI)
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
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
Avidian Gold Corporation AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center BDO USA, LLP Beacon OHSS Big Ray’s Alaska Inc. Blackwolf Copper & Gold Ltd. Bobcat of Juneau Boreal Environmental Services
Alaska Aggregate Products LLC Alaska Air Carriers Association Alaska Airlines
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 Mining & Diving Supply, Inc.
Boyer Towing Inc. Brenntag Pacific Brice Inc. Brilliant Media Strategies Alaska, Inc. Brownson Bros
Pacific Rim Chemicals Pathfinder Aviation, LLC
Pebble Limited Partnership Peggy Petroleum Products Perkins Coie LLP Petro Marine Services PND Engineers Inc. PolarX Limited Property Rights Foundation of America, Inc. Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada PX4 Software Ram Enterprise, Inc. Ravn Alaska Redpath USA Corporation Regeneration Enterprises Reliable Transfer Corporation Remote Made Easy (PSSA) Remote Site Services Inc. Resource Development Council RESPEC Roughstock Mining Services LLC Royal Gold Inc. Ruen Drilling Inc. Ryan Air Inc. Samson Tug & Barge Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology
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New and Renewing Members
ARE Rockstars Prepares Future Workforce
By Elizabeth Freeman, Alaska Resource Education STEM Educator Alaskans pride themselves in the ability to solve their own problems. We are not keen on handouts, but hand ups and we know the power we have when we come together as a community. Just like the rest of the country, Alaska has seen a steep decline in qualified job applicants since the pandemic began. In true Alaskan form, we did not wait around for someone in D.C to give us the answers and the help we desperately needed. Instead, we banded together and worked hard to create long lasting solutions. The mining industry is no stranger to worker shortages and uncertain drilling seasons due to a lack of trained local hires. To address this on a micro scale, Alaska Resource Education chose to pilot ARE Rockstars with the help of local Alaska mining companies. ARE Rockstars is a six-week program centered around training senior high school students to become qualified core technicians, soil samplers and core cutters, three positions that are often in high demand but lack consistent applicants. ARE has partnered with Kusilvak Career Academy (KCA) for delivery of this program. KCA is a residential school located in Anchorage that serves rural Native students exclusively from the Lower Yukon School District (LYSD). High school students from the 10 LYSD schools attend KCA in Anchorage for a semester or longer. ARE’s partnership with KCA allows for these students to be exposed to a variety of resource industry careers, which prompted the idea of creating this unique workforce development training program. The program is scheduled to commence March 20, 2023, completing with a graduation ceremony for the participants on April 26, 2023. ARE Rockstars will bring in guest speakers from multiple exploration and production mines across the state. The cultural significance of these projects will also be discussed along with the potential financial gains they bring. The program will take place at KCA and the Alaska Geological Materials Center, both of which are true gems in our community. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be interviewed by local mining companies with the goal of receiving conditional job offers. In addition to impactful guest speakers, the students will receive their own core (thanks to the Pogo Mine) to practice various skills alongside geologists and other trained professionals from ARE, and Yukuskokon Professional Services. Once the program is complete,
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association in November and December. You make AMA possible! Corporations
Dennis McDowell Kelly Moore Frances Olson Shaun Patterson Jessica Pickett Cole Sullivan Mike Vande Guchte Dia Gix & Fred Wolowic Mark Zellman
Evan Gearity Robert Hafner Ronny Harvey Dale Henkins Mark Henspeter Nicholas Klescewski Andrew Lee Nathan MacDonald Shirley McCaa
Michael Page Damon Petracol
Greenstone Station Inc. Pacific Rim Chemicals Sullivan Water Wells Valdez Creek Mining
Individuals Joel Ballou Chris Brown John Cioffoletti Christy & Bob Fowler Kevin Fox
Professionals Samuel Billin Peter Frantz
Not yet a member of the Alaska Miners Association? Or have not yet renewed your membership? Renew today so you don’t miss a single issue of The Alaska Miner or the 2023 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.
TEMSCO
J.P. TANGEN Attorney at Law (P.C.) ALASKA’S MINING ATTORNEY FROM PROSPECT TO RECLAMATION
907-222-3985 Toll Free 877-414-3985
HELICOPTERS, INC.
P.O. Box 297 · Hansville, WA 98340 jpt@jptangen.com · skype: jptangen www.JPTangen.com
TIMBER EXPLORATION MINING SURVEY CARGO OPERATIONS
Serving all of Alaska since 1958
Rainer Trucking Inc. P.O. Box 72905 Fairbanks, AK 99707 EMAIL rainertruckinginc@yahoo.com PHONE (907) 457-2000 FAX (907) 455-4614
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students will have a greater understanding about the incredible opportunities that exist in and around their region and gain useful skills they can utilize after graduation. ARE would formally like to thank the following companies for their direct involvement with everything from logistics to curriculum and continued support as we work to create viable solutions to the workforce development challenge. ARE extends a heartfelt thank you to Kusilvak Career Academy, Ambler Metals, Northern Star, Nova Minerals, Oriented Targeting Solutions, and Yukuskokon Professional Services, LLC. Elizabeth Freeman speaks about Alaska Resource Education at last year’s Mining Day. ARE Rockstars is a six-week program centered around training senior high school students to become qualified core technicians, soil samplers and core cutters.
Flats Vans
TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. PO Box 5057, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Phone 907-225-5141 Fax 907-225-2340 www.temscoair.com
Rainer Equipment Inc. 2552 Steese Hwy. Fairbanks, AK 99712 PHONE (907) 457-8109 FAX (907) 457-2014
Mining Salvage and Reclamation
Missed an issue of The Miner Journal? All editions of The Alaska Miner Journal are online at: alaskaminers.org/ monthly-journal. Help us spread good news about mining in Alaska!
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February 2023 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2023
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OXFORD BUYS PLACER GOLD FROM ALASKA MINERS, AND HAS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. WE BUY GOLD
Alaska Mining Calendar
Dedicated to responsible development of Alaska’s resources.
n March 5-8: PDAC Mineral Conference; www.pdac.ca/ convention n March 7: Juneau Mining Forum 2023, Baranof Hotel, Juneau. Full day of speakers and technical sessions, ending with annual AMA/AGC/ATA Reception. Sponsored by AMA and Alaska Council of Producers. AlaskaMiners.org.
Geologic Consulting Geologic Staffing Geologic Engineering Reporting (including 43-101) Logistics/ Operation Coordination Remote Sie Management GIS Services Permitting Assistance Community Engagement Claims Staking Claims Administration Equipment Rental
n March 17: Meet Alaska 23, Alaska Support Industry Alliance. Anchorage. AlaskaAlliance.com.
Oxford is proud to be the only gold re ner and bullion dealer to maintain two locations in Alaska for more than 40 years. We offer maximum returns on gold and silver, whether you’re a miner or an investor. Buying, selling, or trading – Oxford provides the service, value, honesty, and integrity that Alaskans have counted on for generations.
n May 10: Mining Day 2023
n June 18-19: Gold Rush Days in Juneau
n July 28 : Mining Day at Tanana Valley Fair
n July 27-30: Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines
n Aug. 19: Mining Day at Alaska State Fair
n Nov. 6-9: AMA Annual Convention, Anchorage
AMA Branch Meetings
n AMA Statewide Branch meetings are scheduled bi- monthly. These meetings are hosted on Zoom and take place at 8 a.m. Friday. Visit (web link) for schedule and for Zoom access information.
ANCHORAGE ■ FAIRBANKS ■ NOME ■
Use the Zoom link below to join each meeting:
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87422007926?pwd=ejIwTnh WUVVrSnpUZUpraEtIWFdkdz09
Meeting ID: 874 2200 7926
— JUNEAU, ALASKA — AVAILABLE STATEWIDE
Passcode: 585365
www.oxfordmetals.com 1.907.561.5237 ALASKA’S ONLY LOCAL REFINER BUY : SELL : TRADE
n Juneau: meets weekly at 7:00 am at T.K. Maguire’s in Ramada Hotel (formerly Prospector) n Fairbanks: meets bi-monthly on opposite Fridays from Statewide Zooms. Please see website for schedule.
✓ CONSTRUCTION ✓ EXPLORATION ✓ CONTRACT
✓ SUPPORT ✓ CHARTER
Follow Alaska Miners Association on Twitter: @AlaskaMiners
operations@coastalhelicopters.com 907-789-5600 www.coastalhelicopters.com
And on Facebook: AlaskaMiners
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February 2023 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
CROWLEY FUELS ALASKA With terminals and delivery services spanning the state, and a full range of quality fuels, Crowley is the trusted fuel partner to carry Alaska’s resource development industry forward. CrowleyFuels.com
Diesel | Gasoline | Lubricants | Propane | Heating Fuel | Aviation Fuels
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