A Message from the Executive Director
Dear AMA Members and Friends, It was such a pleasure on May 10 to say over and over, “Happy Alaska Mining Day!” It’s a good day to reflect on how thankful I am to work in this amazing industry, surrounded by amazing people who stand together. There are so many immense challenges, and so many things we could let frustrate us, but Mining Day is day to embrace the amazing, and we so did. Amongst the hugs and the toasts, many of us shared the sentiment, “You can find something to complain about, but NOT TODAY!” In 2024, we celebrate 85 years of the Alaska Miners Association. Fun fact: our birthday is August 4. For over eight decades, which I’m confident feels like several lifetimes to us all, we have been committed to Alaska miners and the critical It is not a story you will hear in traditional media. It doesn’t rise to the top of many social media feeds. Sometimes it seems we in the industry are the only ones who have anything good to say about mining. But the truth matters, what we do matters and I really believe it is starting to sink in outside of the choir. Alaska’s mining industry is among the most careful safe, diligent and responsible in the world. Our operations pay millions of dollars in annual revenue to state and local governments and Alaska Native Corporations, employ tens of thousands of workers, and purchase over a billion dollars of goods and services from Alaska businesses each year. Beyond Alaska, we are producing the critical minerals needed for renewable and alternative technologies, including the key components of communication and military tools to keep America safe. Call it patriotism or national pride or duty, but the better we do mining in Alaska, the stronger our national economy is. And the less dependent we are on countries that don’t share our environmental and humanitarian values, and don’t want to see Americans prosper. Alaska Mining Day puts that on display each year. I was absolutely thrilled to see the largest news outlet in Alaska post on social media about it and describe mining employees role we play in our state and our nation. They say love what you do. And I do. In Alaska, we just do it better.
around the state as loving their jobs. Our Congressional Delegation, Governor, state agencies and partner organizations all highlighted Alaska miners and showcased our great story: from the minerals, to the land, to the people. I am particularly proud that in the last few years, we’ve worked hard to develop opportunities to meet face to face with real Alaskans and explain what we do. It makes a world of difference when we connect with each other, and bring new people in to meet the great people of our industry and see firsthand the operational excellence and — I cannot emphasize this enough — the heart of Alaska mining. In this 85th year, you will see AMA and our members continue celebrating our successes at great events statewide including Juneau Gold Rush Days; meetings at our eight statewide branches, events held by our partner organizations, statewide Fairs, Alaska Resource Education events; Mining District Picnics; MineExpo, and so much more. I am overwhelmingly grateful to those of you who not only partake in these events, but also make a point to make every day feel like Alaska Mining Day. Thank you!
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Lorali Simon, President Blake Bogart, First Vice President Houston Morris, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers Follow us on Instagram @alaska.miners
Branch Chairmen 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 the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members. 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
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Blake Bogart, State Oversight
Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Carin Currier, Projects & Communications Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I May 2024
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