ON THE COVER: The Usibelli family has been in the coal mining industry in Alaska for generations. Usibelli Coal Mine helps produce the source of power for many Alaskans and will continue to be vital to the future of mining in Alaska. See more on Page 26. Photos Courtesy Usibelli Coal Mine THIS PAGE: The University of Alaska Fairbanks continues to provide valuable education and training for the future of the mining industry. A UAF proposal to reduce U.S. dependency on foreign sources of minerals critical to the technology and defense industries was recently named a semifinalist in a National Science Foundation competition. See more on Page 42. Photo Courtesy UAF
The official magazine of the Alaska Miners Association and the mining industry in Alaska
TABLE OF CONTENTS
10 One, Big, Beautiful Bill and Alaska 12 Forest Service Cuts Roadless Rule 18-19 2025 AMA Convention Schedule 22 Faces of Mining: Jessica Rostad
38 Kensington Safety Team Wins Big 40 Excitement Abounds at Donlin 44 Newest Mining Business and Service Directory
1 Executive Director’s Report 4 Message from AMA's President
The Alaska Miner is dedicated to those who work in and support the mining industry in Alaska, its commitment to the people, and resources of our state. Our magazine is published quarterly and delivered to both the members of the Alaska Miners Association and to key decision makers and leaders in Alaska and beyond. Our goal is to educate, advocate and lead our industry as one of the strongest, oldest and most productive corporate citizens in Alaska. AMA’s mission is to promote responsible mineral development in Alaska.
EDITORIAL CALENDAR
ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION STAFF
Fall 2025 Annual Anchorage Convention Winter 2026 Legislative and Season Preview
Deantha Skibinski Executive Director Jennifer Luiten Membership and Fundraising Director Carin Currier Projects & Communications Manager Darlene Strickland Bookkeeping and Membership
Spring 2026 Project Updates Summer 2026 People in Mining
EXECUTIVE BOARD
BRANCH CHAIRMEN
Lorali Simon President, Usibelli Coal Mine, Healy Dave Larimer First Vice President, Contango Ore, Fairbanks Houston Morris Second Vice President, IPA Alaska, Soldotna Kim Aasand Treasurer, Aasand & Glore LLC., Anchorage
Ted Hawley Anchorage Ethan Trickey Denali Dave Larimer Fairbanks Jan Hill Haines Jason Hart Juneau
Houston Morris Kenai Ken Hughes Nome Robert Fithian Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
The Alaska Miner 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. For advertising information or news tips, call or email publisher Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com.
3
www.AlaskaMiners.org
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online