A Message from the Executive Director
regulatory regime, and other important topics. We have also asked all candidates to submit a profile of their priorities for Alaska and thoughts on Alaska mining, which will be featured in the fall issue of the Alaska Miner magazine. This will also be a big year for our political action committee, AMAPAC, which works to ensure that candidates who share our mining values are elected to the Alaska Legislature this fall. Campaigning is challenging and expensive, and pro-mining candidates need our support. We have a busy fall ahead, which we’ve kicked off with the 85th Anniversary of your Alaska Miner Association on August 4. Incorporated in 1939, AMA is older than our state and we are continuing every day with the same simple mission: protecting Alaska mining families. I am so grateful for the dozens of members and businesses who highlighted our anniversary on their social media pages, wrote articles and tributes, and attended our Anchorage event. At the event, we watched the video produced at our 80th anniversary five years ago, where we interviewed many AMA members about our industry, association, and overall landscape of mining in Alaska. It was enjoyable to watch and observe the successes we’ve seen, but it was also a reminder that our work is never done. We’re looking forward and thick in planning for our AMA Annual Convention November 4-8 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. We are expecting this will be one of our largest events, if not the largest, ever. Remember when summer was our quiet time? Me either. I hope you have a wonderful last few weeks, and we’ll see you very soon!
Dear AMA Members and Friends, I can’t believe I am having to already write about summer in past tense. An amazing summer it has been, full of events and travel and more than a few surprises. There is joy in being busy and working for industry success, even if it does cut into fishing time! Last month we were able to represent Alaska at the Montana Mining Association Annual Convention. I joined my colleagues from Mining Minnesota, Idaho Mining Association, and Wyoming Mining Association to present on our challenges and opportunities in common. It’s always surprising yet humbling that every state is facing the same challenges when it comes to exploring, developing, and operating mining sites. We will again join these organizations and all of our western state mining association partners next month at MinExpo, to highlight the domestic mining industry. On the national front, we are getting some long overdue attention on the ridiculous amount of time required to get a mine permitted and into production in the United States. Recently S&P Global investigated the time to develop mines in our country. The U.S. has the second longest mine development times in the world, at almost 29 years on average from first discovery to first production. Only Zambia takes longer. We’ve been living this for sad reality for decades, but the new attention on mineral demand and their sources may finally be awakening the rest of America. If anything, it is encouraging to see an uptick in attention to our industry. In that vein, the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has introduced bipartisan permitting reform legislation. A lot of great provisions are included for hardrock and energy permitting.
As recently stated in an opinion piece by National Mining Association President Rich Nolan: “Made in America means Mined in America.” Let’s hope the decision makers are finally ready to act. It’s a good reminder again that Elections Matter! It’s especially true this year with dozens of Alaska legislative races, our Congressional seat, and the Presidential election on our ballot. Not to mention two ballot measures, one to repeal ranked choice voting and one that is titled minimum wage but has dangerous provisions about employee requirements and the ability to educate your workforce on political issues. During this election season Karen Matthias from Alaska Metal Mines and I will hold mining industry briefings around the state, in which we take the time to talk with candidates about the economic benefits of mining, the environmental and safety
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
Mike Satre and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Blake Bogart and Dave Larimer, 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 August 2024
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