In a few words, tell us about your work and role in Alaska mining. I currently serve as Vice President of Exploration for Contango Ore, leading exploration strategy and execution across Alaska-focused assets. My role sits at the intersection of geology, capital discipline, permitting reality, and long-term development optionality. Over my career, I’ve worked across the full mining life cycle — from early-stage exploration through operating mines — and that systems-level per- spective directly informs how I approach leadership within AMA. Who was your mentor in this indus- try and what did they teach you that remains true today? I’ve been shaped by mentors in both the military and mining, but the common lesson is discipline under uncertainty. In geology, Ken Puchlik rein- forced the importance of intellectual honesty — presenting data as it is, not as you wish it to be. That lesson scales directly to leadership: credibility compounds over time, while hype eventually col- lapses. In both mining and advocacy, facts, prepara- tion and follow-through win. What lessons have you learned that you would like to share with new miners? Careers are built through deliberate decisions, not momentum. The industry rewards people who understand timing — when to push, when to wait, and when to walk away. Technical skill matters, but judgment matters more. And no matter your role, safety, professionalism, and integrity are non-nego- tiable currencies that follow you for decades. What was one experience you will never forget? Serving on the Pogo Mine underground rescue team fundamentally changed how I think about responsi- bility. It sharpens your understanding that systems, training, and trust are what matter when conditions deteriorate. That mindset — preparation before crisis — has stayed with me throughout my career and directly informs how I approach leadership, safety culture, and risk management today.
FACES OF MINING: DAVE LARIMER
Dave Larimer and wife, Vanessa, have fun with attendees during the Rock Fight competition at AMA's Convention.
What do you love most about this business?
Congratulations on becoming our president! In a few sentences, tell us about your vision for the Association in 2026. AMA will continue to operate as a strategic platform shaping Alaskan mining outcomes. My focus is to continue to optimize our advocacy, tighten alignment between exploration, develop- ment, workforce, and infrastructure policy, and ensure AMA is the voice on mining in Alaska. The next two years will be decisive for Alaska’s resource economy, and AMA will continue to be proactive, data-driven, and disciplined in how we engage legislators, regulators, communities, and the public. What attracted you to join the Alaska Miners Association? And what does AMA mean to you?
AMA was the first place where I saw Alaska’s mining industry operate as a coherent ecosys- tem rather than isolated projects. Early on, it was about technical exchange and professional community. Over time, it became clear that AMA is where collective action actually happens — where shared problems get addressed at scale. Today, AMA represents institutional continui- ty, industry memory and a unified front in an increasingly complex regulatory and social environment. Dave Larimer is the new president of your Alaska Miners Association for 2026-27. He has been active in AMA, and in particular, the Fairbanks chapter for a number of years. We asked Dave to tell us a bit more about himself as well as his vision for AMA and Alaska mining.
Mining is one of the few industries where technical rigor, operational discipline, environmental account- ability and long-term thinking must all coexist. From discovery through reclamation, the work is con- sequential and tangible. Done well, mining leaves behind infrastructure, knowledge and opportunity — not just production statistics. That full lifecycle responsibility is what keeps the work meaningful. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? Alaska will be one of the most strategically important mining jurisdictions in the United States. The combi- nation of critical minerals, precious metals, and energy resources positions the state at the center of national
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
WINTER 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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