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.
May 2023 Volume 51, Number 5
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
Powerful Opportunities for Women in Resources
Celebrating Alaska Mining Day statewide ... see inside!
Alaska Resource Education is on a mission to empower Alaskan girls to become the next generation of women leaders. They recently attended a camp that included going underground at Coeur Alaska’s Kensington Mine. See more on Page 14.
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A Message from the Executive Director
that our united front does not exist in many other places, and it is one of the unique strengths we share. Finally, while celebrations are fun, the torrent of issues and juggling agendas and facing new challenges is really why we are here. I glanced back at my last executive director’s report to you and realized it went on for several pages of updates, and we did not even get to talk about everything! Just this month, we have dealt with: n Advocating for state funding for the Department of Environmental Conservation to gain 404 primacy, putting Alaska for more in control of water permitting issues that often stall projects both large and small; n Monitoring the usual avalanche of legislation rushing to the finish line as another session of the Alaska Legislature comes to a close; n Commenting on permits important to several of our current producing mines; n Watching and alerting you on the latest misguided attempts to slow or stop the work we do, in the guise of the latest social agenda; and n A few dozen more … there’s not room to list! We have already started another glorious summer season of events from Juneau Gold Rush Days to Mining Day at the State Fair(s). Please take time to join us when
Dear AMA Members and Friends, Happy (belated) Alaska Mining Day! As you will see elsewhere in this issue of our Alaska Miner Journal, we had a wonderful day celebrating the 11th anniversary of Alaska Mining Day in Soldotna May 10. And then — because sometimes things work out exactly the way they should — we were able to join the AMA Juneau Branch on Thursday May 11, and the Fairbanks Branch Friday May 12! Three branches in three days were an incredibly fulfilling way to focus on Alaska Mining Day, and it brought to mind so many important things we need to celebrate every day. Every day in Alaska is mining day. All of us in this industry — whether drilling to explore new deposits, or driving a truck full of ore, or constantly monitoring our environmental safeguards or taking care of other miners — are on the job regardless of holidays or family commitments or other aspects of life. A special thanks to our Kenai Branch Chairman Houston Morris, who hosted our Mining Day reception in Soldotna, our Juneau Branch leadership Jim Clark and Jason Hart, who converted their normal Friday breakfast to a Thursday networking hour, and Ken Hall and Felix Gold who hosted a fantastic Friday cook out in the Fairbanks sunshine! Houston is a wonderful success story, as a born and raised Alaskan who has pursued his dream of building his own company, supporting Alaska industries including mining. And he has stuck to that dream despite daunting challenges like a fire that decimated his first shop. Jim Clark is a veteran of our industry (and a veteran of everything, really) and has brought Jason Hart into the fold to keep our Juneau
Branch vibrant not just during the Legislative session, but all year long. Ken Hall embodies the “support” of mining’s support sector — those that provide the goods and services our mines and projects need to stay up and running. And Dave Larimer, in his usual ways, did literally everything to make the cookout a success and all the staff did was show up and enjoy ourselves. Our celebration in Soldotna was possible because of great teamwork and support from our partner associations, the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, and the Council of Alaska Producers. Rebecca Logan and Catherine Chambers at the Alliance, and Karen Matthias at CAP are active, dedicated partners in most everything we do. We have that same unspoken and dedicated support from our other Alaska resource associations, including but not limited to the Alaska Chamber of Commerce, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, the Alaska Forest Association, the Associated General Contractors of Alaska, and the Resource Development Council. We are so much stronger working together, whether testifying on behalf of the industry or collaborating on events. Much like Alaskans in general, whenever any of us faces a challenge, we support each other and work together. I am told by those outside of Alaska
you can and celebrate summer. We’ll be working on your behalf!
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
Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
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Happy Mining Day 2023!
AMA, the Alaska Support Industry Alliance and the Council of Alaska Producers teamed to celebrate Alaska Mining Day on May 10 with the Kenai Branch of AMA. Festivities included a lunch presentation by AMA’s Deantha Skibinski and CAP’s Karen Matthias, plus a wonderful evening reception hosted by Houston Morris at the Industrial Pumps of Alaska facility in Soldotna. Happy Alaska Mining Day!
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What made the 2023 Alaska Mining Day extra special was the opportunity for a few of our local branches to celebrate in their own way, and always with Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s proclamation recognizing Alaska miners and mining for 2023, in Juneau and Fairbanks pictured here. At the Juneau festivities, Deantha Skibinski talks to Juneau members in the watering hole formerly known as The Prospector. At the Fairbanks lunch, former Alaska Miner editor Rose Rybachek shared memories with long-time member Roger Burggraf.
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Army Corps to Reevaluate Pebble Decision
“Our technical and permitting team will now spend some time looking through all the material released today as there is a fair amount to digest,” Shively said. “We have several issues in motion around the project and a key current focus for us right now is what next steps we will be taking regarding the EPA’s preemptive veto of the project.” following our appeal over two years ago. I am encouraged that some in the federal government recognize the importance of following a fair and established process for reviewing resource projects in Alaska.” — Pebble Limited Partnership CEO John Shively “The USACE has recognized that the final decision process for Pebble was not properly undertaken and sent its decision document back to the Alaska District
By North of 60 Mining News The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced that it is taking a second look at its decision to deny Pebble Limited Partnership’s application for the permits to establish a mining operation at the Pebble copper project in the Bristol Bay watershed of Southwest Alaska. The mine put forward for permitting is expected to produce 320 million pounds of copper; 363,000 ounces of gold; 15 million pounds of molybdenum; 1.8 million oz of silver; and 12,000 kilograms of rhenium annually over 20 years. While this would provide the United States with a significant source of copper that is expected to be in a shortfall due to enormous demand being driven by the transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy, opposition to Pebble has voiced concerns about the proposed copper mine’s proximity to salmon habitat in the Bristol Bay watershed. In November 2020, Pebble Partnership reached the final stages of federal permitting for the world-class Pebble copper mine project. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District, denied issuance of the permits in its final record of decision. At the time, the federal permitting agency determined that the mine plan put forward by Pebble Partnership did not comply with guidelines under the federal Clean Water Act and was contrary to public interest. Early in 2021, Pebble Partnership filed an appeal of this decision with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division. In its appeal, the mine proponent argued that the federal agency’s findings are inconsistent with Clean Water Act regulation, unsupported by the administrative record, and unprecedented in Alaska. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pacific Ocean Division Engineer Brig. Gen. Kirk Gibbs found merit with specific portions of Pebble Partnership’s appeal and has remanded the decision back to the Alaska district for further review. “The USACE has recognized that the final decision process for Pebble was not properly undertaken and sent its decision document back to the Alaska District following our appeal over two years ago,” said Pebble Limited Partnership CEO John Shively. “I am encouraged that some in the federal government recognize the importance of following a fair and established process for reviewing resource projects in Alaska.” The stand-alone appeals process provides Pebble Partnership the opportunity to argue its case on certain decisions with which they disagree. This appeal is independent of the Environmental Protection Agency’s decision earlier this year to exercise its authority under Clean Water Act Section 404(c) to restrict the discharge of dredged or fill material for the construction and operation of a mine at Pebble.
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A Brief History of Mining Day
Then-Gov. Sean Parnell signed the first Alaska Mining Day proclamation in 2013 recognizing the annual honor for Alaska miners first sponsored by Sen. Cathy Giessel.
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.
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 ultimately built towns, roads, ports, and railroads in what was then the 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 11,400 jobs with an average annual wage of $130,000, twice the state average. These jobs employ residents in more than 90 communities throughout Alaska, more than half of which are in rural areas where there are few other job opportunities. In 2022, our mines contributed nearly $170 million in local and state government revenues, spent $1 billion with 450 Alaska vendors, and paid $266 million to Alaska Native Corporations throughout the state. Mining truly “works” for Alaska and is a significant portion of our state’s economic portfolio. Today, as Alaska faces staggering fiscal challenges, it is imperative that we explore how mining in Alaska can grow and increase the benefits realized by residents, businesses, governments, and Alaska Native entities.
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Congratulations to Baby Theo and Family!
Team Alaska Resource Education is delighted to share the happy news of Baby Theo’s arrival last week to proud parents Beki Toussaint and Luke Metherell! Their rainbow baby Theodore Stone Metherell joined the family on March 28, weighing 5 pounds, 13 ounces and 20 inches long. We know his big brother John is watching over him!
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Powerful Opportunities for Women in Resources (POWR)
Alaska Resource Education is on a mission to empower Alaskan girls to become the next generation of women leaders. Through POWR programs ARE is showing high school girls across the state the kind of careers available in the natural resource industry. This is encouraging them to become innovative problem solvers and help tackle the big problems, all while staying in Alaska. In March a week-long POWR camp in Juneau included a chance for the campers to tour Coeur Alaska’s Kensington Mine underground and get a firsthand look at the opportunities for women in mining. Big thanks to the whole team at Kensington Mine for making this possible. Questions about any POWR program can be directed to Taylor Burgh, tburgh@akresource.org
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Shoot to Support Alaska Resource Education
Photos by Judy Patrick Photography Alaska Resource Education welcomed 30 teams for the third annual Sporting Clays Fun Shoot on April 28 at Birchwood Recreation & Shooting Park. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone for supporting ARE’s mission!
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DOE Announces Intent to Fund Coal to Rare Earths Projects
There’s been considerable discussion about the potential to mine rare earth minerals from coal mine tailings and now the Federal Government is planning to fund that effort. The Department of Energy (DOE) office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) has announced a notice of intent to fund “Advanced Processing of Critical Minerals and Materials for Industrial and Manufacturing Applications” (DE- FOA-0002619). The program originated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40210, which provided competitive grants for research institutions, in partnership with industry, to conduct R&D to develop and assess advanced separation technologies for the extraction and recovery of rare earth elements and other critical materials from coal and coal byproducts. According to the International Energy Agency, approximately 30,000 tons of rare earth elements are contained within the coal that is produced each year in the U.S.
DOE announced it plans to issue a funding opportunity announcement near the end of the second quarter or third quarter of 2023. Once announced, the FOA will provide more information on the opportunity, including requirements and submission materials, and applicants will have 60 days to complete and submit applications for funding consideration. The duration of the award is 36 months and will require a 20 percent cost share commitment, less than the usual 50 percent cost share in infrastructure bill programs. The National Mining Association has continued to advocate for increased funding for the FECM program, including through ongoing FY 2024 appropriations negotiations, and will share additional updates on funding as necessary. For any questions, contact Scott Gemperline, Director of Government and Political Affairs at sgemperline@ nma.org.
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In Memoriam: Jack Roger Hoback Jr.
Jack Roger Hoback Jr., 59, of Wytheville, formerly of Alaska and a member of AMA, passed away Nov. 12, 2022. He was the son of the late Jack Roger Hoback Sr. and preceded in death by a sister, Selena Shanklin. Jack was a hard worker and a man of faith. He was a very adventurous man and enjoyed his time mining for gold in the wilderness of Alaska. He is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Sabrina and Jaron Crider of Wytheville, and Charlotte Hoback
of Rural Retreat; mother, Pat Layne Hoback of Wytheville; sister and brother-in-law, Shannon and Warren Mills of Wytheville; grandchildren, Jessie Crider, Skylar Crider, Miah Crider, and Paisley Crider; brother-in-law, Ron Shanklin of Wytheville; and nieces and nephews, Heath Shanklin, Chase Shanklin, Michael Jones, Summer Stephens, Madison Stephens. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome. com
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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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Fairbanks League of Women Voters Mining Forum
In April AMA participated in a forum by the League of Women Voters of Tanana Valley titled “Mining in our backyard.” In addition to executive director Deantha Skibinski, Bob Loeffler from ISER, Dave Charron at DNR, Melissa Kellner from the Fairbanks North Star Borough planning department, Sarah Heinchon of “Save our Domes” (formed to oppose exploration in the “domes” of Interior) and Barbara Schumann with Advocates for Safe Alaska Highways. The League joined with local radio KUAC and the Fairbanks Daily News Miner and moderated a discussion amongst all panelists. A recording of the forum is available at: www. lwvalaska.org/fairbanks.
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Corporate Members
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 Mining & Diving Supply, Inc. 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
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)
Alaska Railroad Corporation Alaska Resource Education Alaska Rock Products Association Alaska Roteq Alaska Trucking Association Ambler Metals LLC American Exploration & Mining 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 Energy Metals Alaska Forest Association Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. Alaska Industrial Hardware Inc Alaska Minerals Inc.
Boyer Towing Inc. Brenntag Pacific Brice Inc. Brilliant Media Strategies Alaska, Inc. Brownson Bros
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May 2023 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Corporate Members
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
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 Inc. Hyak Mining Co. IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association IMDEX Industrial Pumps of Alaska Institute of Northern Engineering International Directional Services ISCO Development Council Just Refiners USA, Inc. Kinross Alaska Klondike Placer Miners’ Association Knight Piesold & Company Kuna Engineering Lifewater Engineering Company Lignite Energy Council JCM Industries Inc. Juneau Economic Lynden Logistics M-W Drilling, Inc Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Mascott Equipment Company Matson McKinley Research Group Metco Alaska LLC MFCP Mitsubishi Materials USA Corp Montana Mining Association Motion Industries MTA NANA Regional Corp National Mining Association Nebari Partners Nelson Irrigation Corporation Nevada Mining Association New Mexico Mining Association NISS
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, Ltd 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
Stevedore Co. LLC Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Anchorage) Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Palmer) Northern Permafrost Consulting Northern Star Resources - Pogo Mine 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 Corp.
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 Sealaska Corporation
Geotemps Inc. Global External Global Physical Asset Management, Inc.
Gold Buyers of Alaska -dba:GBA Assaying & Refining Granite Construction Company Graphite One Inc. Graymont Great Northwest Inc. Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Greenstone Station Inc
Yukon Chamber of Mines Zonge International Inc.
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2023
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New and Renewing Members
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association in February. You make AMA possible! Corporations ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. Felix Gold Ltd Taiga Mining Company Inc. Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. James Dickey Peter Grieve
Chester Lide George Lounsbury Jim Male Steve Masterman Kevin Mayo Cameron Mead Mac Meiners Drew Miller John W Miscovich Kyle Moselle Graham Neale Ed Paradis Michelle Pearson Colin Phillips Carl Portman Ron & Nancy Ralston Brad Randall Steve Reidsma Matthew Richmond
Kyle Beebe Christopher Bell Mike Bell Michael A Belowich Brian Benson Frank Bergstrom John Bernal Ben Birch Jerry & Stephanie Birch
Sonia Henrick Joy Huntington Doug Isaacson Kevin Martindale William Morris Harold J Noyes Leslie Olmstead Paul Stockburger Jusdi Warner Individuals Kim Aasand CPA Howard J Adams Kevin Adler Portia Babcock Casey Bain Bert Bamford
Operator David T & Kate Johnson Sari Martinson & John Reid Paul Shearer
Kevin N Brown Robert Brown David Butherus
Haynes Tormey Larry Wilmarth
Roland Butler Calvin Carlson Mischa Ellanna Stan & Sally Foo Caleb Graham Tammy Oswald & Kevin Greenfield Marleanna Hall Emily Hart Raesha Hartz Ted Hawley Richard M Hoggan Hal Ingalls Pelham Jackson David Johnson Randy Johnson William & Deborah Johnson Jeffrey Keener Dan & Melinda Kendall Leo Kerin Jason Knoles Ray & Lee Ann Kreig Raymond & Vicke Kukowski Kathryn & Thomas Lamal John Lamborn David & Vanessa Larimer Mark Levin PE
Professionals Ron Alleva Caleb Stroup & Kristen Benchley Heather Brooks John Childs
John Shank Lorna Shaw Richard Sivils Mary P Stech Tom Sternberg Richie Stickle
Mike Talerico Jules Tileston Orson Tingey Ethan Trickey Norman Tweet Joe Usibelli Jr. Evan Venechuk Timothy & Cheryl Venechuk Robert & Renae Wall Timothy Ward Andy West Richard Worabel Ben Ziegman David Zuch
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.
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May 2023 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Winter Weather Slows Red Dog Zinc Output
By North of 60 Mining News Teck Resources Ltd. April 26 reported that severe snowstorms impacted first quarter zinc production and revenues from its Red Dog Mine in Northwest Alaska. During the first three months of this year, Red Dog produced 126,200 metric tons (278 million pounds) of zinc, which is 39 percent lower than the 131,600 metric tons (290.1 million pounds) produced during the same period of 2022 First quarter lead production at Red Dog was roughly 7 percent higher than during the first three months of 2022. The Red Dog mill processed 992,000 metric tons of ore averaging 15.4 percent zinc and 4.3 percent lead, compared to 1.03 million metric tons of ore averaging 15.2 percent zinc and 3.8 percent lead during the same period last year. Teck says the lower mill throughput is due to severe snowstorms that resulted in capacity constraints in the concentrate storage facility. The lower zinc output, along with weaker zinc prices and higher costs, impacted Red Dog’s first quarter revenues.
TEMSCO Teck says that production at Red Dog had returned to normal by the end of the quarter, and the company’s 2023 production guidance of 550,000 to 580,000 metric tons of zinc for the Northwest Alaska operation remains unchanged. Likewise, Teck’s profit from the Red Dog Mine was $78 million during the first quarter of this year, which is less than half the $173 million during the first three months of 2021. At the same time, Red Dog’s operating costs, before inventory changes, were $104 million during the first quarter, or $18 million higher than a year ago. Teck expected the higher costs that reflect the inflationary pressures of annual supplies and consumables delivered to the Northwest Alaska zinc operation during the summer 2022 shipping season. The increased costs, coupled with the lower zinc output and prices, resulted in Red Dog generating $194 million in revenues for Teck during the second quarter. This is nearly half the $384 million of revenue generated during the same period in 2021.
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
2 to 14 Axle Combinations Licensed & Bonded Lowboys
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
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2023
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Alaska Mining Calendar
n June 14: RDC Annual Membership Luncheon; www. akrdc.org/annual-membership-luncheon n June 15: AEMA Summer Summit, Spokane, Wash.; www.miningamerica.org/summersummit
Dedicated to the responsible development of Alaska ’ s resources.
Geologic Consulting Geologic Staffing Geologic Engineering Reporting (including 43 - 101) Logistics/Operation Coordination Remote Site Management GIS Services Permitting Assistance Community Engagement Claims Staking Claims Administration Equipment Rental
n June 17-18: Gold Rush Days in Juneau
n June 19-20: ARE Fairbanks summer STEM camp, Pipeline Training Center, Registration at www. akresource.org
n June 21: Alaska Resource Education golf tournament in Anchorage
n July 13: Alaska Resource Education golf tournament in Fairbanks n July 24-25: ARE Fairbanks summer STEM camp, Pipeline Training Center
n July 28: Mining Day at Tanana Valley Fair
n July 27-30: Southeast Alaska State Fair in Haines
12100 Industry Way Unit P - 9, Anchorage, AK 99515 www.alaskaearthsciences.com 907 - 522 - 4664
n Aug. 19: Mining Day at Alaska State Fair
n Oct. 2-5: Mine Closure Conference. ACG’s Mine Closure 2023 Conference. Reno, Nevada, USA at the Nugget Resort Casino in collaboration with the University of Nevada Reno. www.acgmineclosure.com
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 7 a.m. Friday. Schedule: Visit www. alaskaminers.org/ama-member-branches n Branches are meeting in-person! For your local branch schedule, please visit www.alaskaminers. org/ama-member-branches or contact Jennifer at jennifer@alaskaminers.org for information
— JUNEAU, ALASKA — AVAILABLE STATEWIDE
✓ 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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May 2023 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
OXFORD BUYS PLACER GOLD FROM ALASKA MINERS, AND HAS FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. WE BUY GOLD
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.
ANCHORAGE ■ FAIRBANKS ■ NOME ■
www.oxfordmetals.com 1.907.561.5237 ALASKA’S ONLY LOCAL REFINER BUY : SELL : TRADE
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