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.
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Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2023
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