THE ALASKA MINER MAGAZINE: Our magazine is published quarterly and delivered to both the members of the Alaska Miners Association and to key decision-makers and leaders in Alaska and beyond. Our goal is to educate, advocate, and lead our industry as one of the strongest, oldest, and most productive corporate citizens in Alaska. AMA’s mission is to promote responsible mineral development in Alaska. We provide key communication between our members, the industry, and policymakers in and out of Alaska. Each issue includes news and information important to our industry and our constituents.
THE ALASKA MINER THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION AND THE MINING INDUSTRY IN ALASKA | VOLUME 54, NUMBER 10: FALL 2026
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR ANOTHER GREAT CONVENTION
FACES OF MINING: NAOMI MITCHELL, ARE EARN ACCOLADES
NEWEST ALASKA MINING AND BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY
GREENS CREEK MINE CELEBRATES SAFETY MILESTONE
JOIN AMA AS WE CELEBRATE WITH OUR MINING FAMILY AGAIN IN ANCHORAGE! CONVENTION 2026
WE'RE EXCITED TO SEE OUR MINING FAMILY!
STEP UP
YOUR WORK HAS A STORY WORTH SHARING Dear AMA members, friends and Alaska's mining family, Convention season is here, and things are getting busy in the AMA office! We’re getting ready to welcome you to Anchorage on Nov. 2–5 for our Annual Convention and Trade Show, and I’m excited to see everyone together again. Usually, Deantha writes this column, but this time you’re hearing from me, Carin, your Projects and Communications Manager. If my name looks familiar, there’s a good chance it’s because I’ve been in your inbox with a convention reminder. Thank you for opening those emails. And if you still need to register, consider this another friendly reminder! This year’s theme is Built to Deliver — Advancing Alaska Mining . As we work through the planning, I keep think- ing about how many people have a hand in making this event happen. Our convention committee, presenters, exhibitors, sponsors and volunteers put a lot into these four days, and our small AMA staff is grateful for every bit of it. The trade show is already sold out, and there’s plenty to look forward to between the technical sessions, keynote lunches, poster session, Core Shack and Prospectors Tent. I’m especially excited for “The Rest of the Story,” where suppliers, contractors, consultants and others will share their ideas and experiences. There’s a lot that goes into making Alaska mining what it is, and I’m glad we’re making room to hear more about it. We’ll wrap up the week by recognizing our award recip- ients at the Closing Banquet. This year, we’re going to the Wild West! You’ve got some time to find your cowboy boots, and I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. With all the planning that goes into convention, it’s easy to spend most of our time thinking about schedules, registrations and deadlines. But what I’m really looking forward to is seeing the people behind all those emails. It’s a chance to catch up, put faces to names and have conversations that don’t need a meeting link.
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That’s also a big part of what I enjoy about communica- tions at AMA. I get to hear what our members are doing and help share it with others. Sometimes that’s a major project update. Sometimes it’s a photo, a career mile- stone or someone taking the time to explain a part of their work. You may not think your everyday work is particularly interesting, but someone else might. Especially someone who has never visited a mine or considered working in this industry. At 25, I think a lot about what would get people my age interested in mining. Hearing directly from the people doing the work is a good place to start. How did you get here? What do you enjoy? What do you wish you’d known when you started? Those are conversations I’d like to help us have more often. So, if you see me at convention, come say hello. Tell me what you’re working on or introduce me to someone you think I should meet. And please keep sending the photos and updates. They make my job a lot more fun, and they help us show people what Alaska mining looks like. Thank you for being part of AMA and for helping us put together another great convention. See you in Anchorage, and don’t forget those boots! Carin Currier PROJECTS AND COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
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ON THE COVER: We're looking forward to seeing you at the 2026 AMA Convention and Trade Show the first week of November in Anchorage. See full Convention coverage inside this special edition and make plans to attend. This is going to be another event for the record books!
table of contents
THE EXPERTISE AND VERSATILITY TO MOVE PROJECTS FORWARD
PAGE 6
PAGE 8
PAGE 14
MESSAGE FROM AMA’S PRESIDENT No amount of planning compensates for a shortage of trained people at the point of execution, writes AMA President Dave Larimer.
CANDIDATES SHARE VISION FOR ALASKA In late September, AMA took part in the Alaska Resources Gubernatorial Forum with our fellow trade associations and business and industry leaders.
FACES OF MINING: NAOMI MITCHELL Naomi Mitchell, Interior Program Coordinator and STEM educator for Alaska Resource Education, shares her insight into educating future miners.
PAGE 18
PAGE 54
PAGE 62
LOOKING FORWARD TO CONVENTION '26 Throughout the week, you will hear about the positive forces and plans working to expand our industry and the footprint we deliver, writes Convention Committee Chair Kevin Adler.
ALASKA MINING & BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY See the Newest Alaska Mining Business and Service Directory, the corporations, companies and individuals serving our vital industry.
YOUR VOTE IS VITAL TO OUR INDUSTRY Elected officials shape the conditions that allow responsible mining to invest, create jobs and contribute to Alaska’s economy. Make your voice heard this election.
EDITORIAL CALENDAR Winter 2027 | Legislative and Season Preview Spring 2027 | Alaska Mining Project Updates Summer 2027 | Impact of Alaska Mining Fall 2027 | Annual Anchorage Convention
ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION STAFF Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership & Fundraising Director Carin Currier, Projects & Communications Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership The Alaska Miner Magazine is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516.
The Alaska Miner is dedicated to those who work in and support the mining industry in Alaska, its commitment to the people, and resources of our state. Our magazine is published quarterly and delivered to both the members of the Alaska Miners Association and to key decision makers and leaders in Alaska and beyond. Our goal is to educate, advocate and lead our industry as one of the strongest, oldest and most productive corporate citizens in Alaska. AMA’s mission is to promote responsible mineral development in Alaska.
DEDICATED. RELIABLE. BUILT TO SERVE.
EXECUTIVE BOARD Dave Larimer, President
Houston Morris, First Vice President Jason Hart, Second Vice President
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BRANCH CHAIRMEN Victor Ross, Anchorage Ethan Trickey, Denali Vanessa Larimer, Fairbanks Jan Hill, Haines Jason Hart, Juneau Houston Morris, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Robert Fithian, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email
stories and photos to Lee Leschper at Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com.
ADVERTISING RATES AND NEW TIPS For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, contact Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com.
TOTE MARITIME ALASKA, LLC TOTEMARITIME.COM | 800.426.0074
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are delivered by experienced people operating within functional systems. Workforce development must therefore be treated as a strategic priority, not a secondary benefit. That means investing in training, apprenticeships and uni- versity partnerships. It means succession planning within both industry and regulatory agencies. And it means regulatory certainty that supports long-term careers, not episodic employment cycles that drive talent elsewhere. The Alaska Miners Association has a critical role in addressing this risk. AMA is positioned to convene industry, regulators, educators and policymakers to confront workforce constraints honestly and pragmat- ically. Workforce capacity must be part of any serious discussion about permitting reform, project timelines and Alaska’s role in national resource security. Alaska’s mining workforce is a strategic asset — but only if we acknowledge the risks it faces and act
Sign up and share The Alaska Miner! The Alaska Miner is mailed statewide to Alaska business, government and Native leaders. Subscriptions are complimentary — to sign up, send your email address and contact information to: admin@FireweedStrategies.com. And if you’re already receiving the Miner, sign up your team members and clients who also need to be reading the latest good news about Alaska mining!
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
THE HUMAN FACTOR IN OUR RESOURCE FUTURE
National conversations about critical minerals tend to focus on geology, permitting reform and supply-chain resilience. Those factors matter, but they are not the binding constraint facing Alaska or the nation. The most immediate and underappreciated risk to project execution is workforce capacity — specifically, the convergence of retirements, loss of institutional knowledge and multiple large-scale projects compet- ing for the same limited pool of skilled professionals. Before entering the mining industry, I spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer. I was trained to plan and lead operations in complex, resource-con- strained environments where logistics, sequencing and human performance determined outcomes. One principle was constant: operational risk increases sharply when demand outpaces experienced person- nel. No amount of planning compensates for a short- age of trained people at the point of execution. That reality applies directly to Alaska’s mining and resource development landscape today. Alaska is on the cusp of a potential convergence of major projects — large mines, expansions, infrastruc- ture investments and projects like the LNG pipeline — many of which could advance on similar timelines. Individually, each project is challenging but manage- able. Collectively, they place unprecedented strain on the same workforce: engineers, equipment operators, welders, environmental specialists, inspectors, pilots, mechanics, truckers, and regulators. These are not interchangeable roles, and they are not quickly scalable. At the same time, a significant portion of Alaska’s experienced workforce is nearing retirement. When these professionals leave, they take with them more than headcount. They take operational judgment, institutional memory and the ability to recognize and manage risk before it becomes a problem. The loss of that experience has real consequences. Many of us have already seen this firsthand. Exploration and development timelines are increas- ingly constrained not by lack of opportunity, but by
limited access to experienced crews and technical staff. The same dynamic effects regulators. Agencies tasked with reviewing permits and overseeing com- pliance face their own recruitment and retention challenges. When experienced reviewers retire or move on, permitting timelines lengthen — not because standards have changed, but because insti- tutional knowledge has been lost. This creates a compounding risk. Workforce short- ages slow permitting. Delays compress construction schedules. Compressed schedules increase safety risk and cost overruns. In extreme cases, projects stall not due to opposition or technical failure, but because the system lacks sufficient professional capacity to execute responsibly. From a national perspective, this workforce con- straint directly undermines critical mineral and energy strategies articulated by the Department of (Defense) War, Department of Energy and U.S. Geological Survey. Domestic production targets assume a workforce that can permit, build and operate projects at scale. That assumption is increas- ingly fragile. Mines, pipelines and processing facilities are not delivered by policy alignment alone — they "Before entering the mining industry, I spent 10 years in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer. I was trained to plan and lead operations in complex, resource-constrained environments where logistics, sequencing and human performance determined outcomes. "One principle was constant: oper- ational risk increases sharply when demand outpaces experienced per- sonnel. No amount of planning com- pensates for a shortage of trained people at the point of execution."
and invest accordingly. Dave Larimer AMA PRESIDENT
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In late September, AMA took part in the Alaska Resources Gubernatorial Forum with our fellow trade asso- ciations and business and industry leaders. All four candidates — Dave Bronson, Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, Treg Taylor and Bernadette Wilson — came to share their vision for Alaska and answer questions on issues facing Alaska's resource development industries. Thank you to the candidates, the panelists and attendees who packed the room at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage for this important dialogue.
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Beki Toussaint and Naomi Mitchell discuss the mission of Alaska Resource Education with a film crew while in Washington, D.C.
Photos by Mary Schaper
ALASKA RESOURCE EDUCATION EARNS PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION
Alaska Resource Education was honored in early October by the Bureau of Land Management with its 2026 Hardrock Mineral Community Outreach and Economic Security Award. The award is part of BLM’s annual Mineral Development Awards, which recognize contribu- tions to the nation’s solid minerals industry. During the ceremony in Washington, D.C., the National Mining Association, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, the U.S. Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement and the BLM also gave out awards honoring outstanding achievements in mine safety, technology, reclamation and stewardship. Congratulations to the entire ARE team on this well-deserved recognition and for your dedica- tion to the future of our industry in Alaska!
RESPONSIBLE GROWTH. ROOTED IN RESPECT.
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the industry. She is a deep well of information and knowledge, and is always coming up with innovative ideas for programming and workforce development to get students interested and excited about natural resources and careers. Taylor Burgh, our Operations Director, and Beki are the perfect team and have been leading ARE in the right direction and have been my guiding lights. They taught me that this industry is about people, taking care of one another, true connection and telling the story of our resources and our great state. What lessons have you learned that you want to share Alaska’s miners? I think the lesson would be that education matters. Being willing to tell your story, share your experi- ences and knowledge can really change people’s perception. Getting that information out there is so important. I see those lightbulbs go off every day in the class- room when a student learns something new about the industry and hears the facts straight from a guest speaker from say Kinross, Contango or Usibelli, all who visit my classes regularly. Their presence has an incredible impact. What would you do differently? I think I would have gotten involved in the industry earlier! I came from a small town in Pennsylvania. My mom’s side of the family comes from the anthra- cite coal region. We used to visit old mine sites for fun! There’s even a little fake coal tunnel at the local children’s museum. But I never had anyone tell me it was a career option and that I could collect rocks professionally! We are doing it better up here. What was one experience you will never forget? In the spring of 2025, I was in Rome, and while there I got to visit the Vatican Library. It took some heavy hitter letters of recommendation to get in — thank you Beki, Lisa and Deantha. And after surrendering my passport and going through several layers of armed guards, I made it in (I happened to be there the week the Pope passed away).
FACES OF MINING: NAOMI MITCHELL
and brought that information back to the classroom with me. As a former librarian, it was a dream come true. What do you love most about this business? The people. Since the beginning I have been wel- comed with open arms by pretty much everyone I have come into contact with. Especially folks involved with the Alaska Miners Association. They want to tell the story of Alaskan mining, and they all do it very well. I have built wonderful friendships over the years. It is the best community, especially here in the Interior. The Fairbanks AMA crew with the Larimers at the helm are so fun. Where do you see mining and resource development in Alaska in 50 years? My hope is that in 50 years we have cultivated and
Naomi Mitchell is helping teach the next generation of Alaskans what it means to be good stewards of our resources.
What is your role and how did you get into the industry? I am the Interior Program Coordinator and STEM educator for Alaska Resource Education in Fairbanks. Part of our curriculum covers rocks, minerals, mining and associated career explo- ration. I have built strong partnerships with the industry in my goal to educate Alaskan youth about the resources around them. ARE is constantly partnering with mines to facili- tate tours, coordinate guest speakers and get up to date information out to students so they can be informed on the latest in the mining industry.
Who was your mentor and what did they teach you that remains true today? Definitely my Executive Director Beki Toussaint. She has been with the organization almost 15 years. Beki has grown the programming to what it is today and taught me everything I know about Naomi Mitchell is Interior Program Coordinator and STEM educator for Alaska Resource Education in Fairbanks. We asked her to tell us more about her role with ARE and how educa- tors are helping tell Alaska's mining story.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
While there, I reviewed some ancient mining texts
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2023 Sandvik QH332 …….…… #80 - 33204 1784 Hrs, Tracked Mobile Cone Crusher, 7.25” Feed, CCS Range 1/4” - 1”5/8” Chehalis, WA ………………..….…. $697,000
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"My hope is that in 50 years we have cultivated and edu- cated a workforce that is keeping up with the demand of the resource industry in Alaska. There are a lot of efforts in the works right now statewide to do just that. In 50 years, I hope our state and natural resource industry is thriving."
knowledgeable community. I love attending AMA events. And I consider the staff among friends at this point. They work hard to make sure we are all informed on all things mining because they care. What do like to do for fun? Recently it’s been grouse hunting with my son Bo and my husband Tyler. But overall I am an avid reader. And I will read out on my porch wrapped up in a blanket until we hit single digits here in Fairbanks! Anything else you want to share? I am so thankful to be a part of this community. Everyone cares so deeply about not just the industry and telling their stories but about the communities around them. ARE gets so much support from the industry but on a personal level I see Brenna, Lisa and Wendie at just about every event in Fairbanks or sponsoring anything and everything here in the Interior. They help take care of the community around them and it is such an amazing thing to be a part of. Everyone I have met has been an incredible community partner and steward of this state.
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
educated a workforce that is keeping up with the demand of the resource industry in Alaska. There are a lot of efforts in the works right now statewide to do just that. In 50 years, I hope our state and natural resource industry is thriving. What do you see as Alaska’s biggest challenges? And opportunities? Alaska is huge! It isn’t always easy to get information out to every corner of our state. but we are trying. We are all pretty spread out here and sometimes transportation and communication can be hindering, but there are opportunities to find creative ways to inform Alaskans about the industry.
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What keeps you awake at night? Personally, the next chapter of my Kindle.
Professionally, whether or not our workforce will be able to keep up with the demand of industry in the coming years. What does AMA mean to you? AMA is a community. A warm, fun, hard-working,
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AMA CONVENTION 2025 AMA CONVENTION 2026
WELCOME TO THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL CONVENTION! Members and Friends of the Alaska
The Core Shack will provide a show- case for participants of projects that are generating new results, or have not participated in AMA's core shack before, to show off their core and discuss results. Industry profession- als interested in displaying core and results from mineral exploration and development projects are invited to present. Hand samples, maps, charts and other technical informa- tion are also welcome. Thank you to Miles MacDonald for organizing and executing the Core Shack and Prospectors Tent! The Prospectors’ Tent on Tuesday and Wednesday will again feature inde- pendent prospectors or early explora- tion projects displaying their mineral prospects and discoveries. This venue for prospectors to share their discov- eries is an important opportunity that may lead to new discoveries, pros- pects and partnerships in Alaska. Wrapping up the week is the AMA Awards Banquet — this year's theme, the Wild West! Bring your cowboy hat and celebrate the indus- try with your AMA family. You won’t want to miss it! Please join us and also share the good news of this convention! AMA’s convention posts on social media are intended for you to repost, share with colleagues and friends, and tell others about this exciting week. We love visitors through our trade show to support our vendors and sponsors. Read all about it in the following pages. And watch for more informa- tion updated daily on our website: www.alaskaminers.org. A special thank you to the AMA convention committee and staff who have put together an outstanding convention this year. See you at the Convention! Kevin Adler Convention Committee Chairman
n Protect the Project: Consultant Agreements, Privilege and Information Management for Alaska Mining, afternoon half-day course Short courses are held at the Marriott Hotel. Pre-registration is required. We’ll kick off the action-packed week Tuesday with dual tracks of technical session presentations. We also have keynote speakers at all our luncheons that you will enjoy, as well as a wealth of vendors and sponsors to network within the trade show during coffee breaks, happy hours and suppliers reception! New this year, Track 3: The Rest of the Story will be a full day of techni- cal presentations hosted by suppli- ers, contractors and consultants. Make sure to stop by Track 3 on the second floor of the Dena’ina Center on Wednesday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Again this year, we will hold the popular AMA “Rock Fight,” to let one and all learn who really “knows their rocks!” Bring your favorite rock and compete in this fun and exciting game. It’s also never too late to sponsor the AMA Annual Convention and Trade Show! Thank you to all our sponsors. Underwriting this event ensures it will be successful, and your spon- sorship dollars also help sustain AMA and its efforts year-round to promote a vibrant mining industry for Alaska. Please read on for a complete list of the sponsors who ensure the success of our event. Please read the following pages of this magazine for a complete list of the 175 vendors participating in the 2026 trade show — our largest trade show ever. Thank you to every single vendor for making this event so successful! We will again celebrate the legacy of our pioneers with Alaska Mining Hall of Fame inductions on Wednesday,
Miners Association: It’s time to celebrate Alaska Mining! I want to welcome you and your company to the 2026 Alaska Miners Association Annual Convention and Trade Show, Nov. 2-5 at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. We created this expanded issue of your Alaska Miner Magazine to provide you with valuable information about this year’s convention. Each year our magnificent event continues to both grow and to provide you with the best of Alaska mining: n more than 1,400 attendees from all parts of our industry n many great networking events n the largest mining trade show in the state n representatives from both our operating mines and the many potential mining development proj- ects in Alaska n educational programs, short courses and technical sessions, and much, much more. Our theme this year is “Built To Deliver — Advancing Alaska Mining.” Throughout the week you will hear and learn about all the positive forces and plans working to expand both our industry and the vast foot- print we deliver worldwide. We’ll start the week with four excel- lent short courses on Monday, Nov. 2. Short courses include: n Geology and Processing of Critical Minerals for Electrification, full-day course n Change The Conversation: Educate, Engage, Employ, afternoon half-day course n Leadership Skills for High Performing Team, afternoon half-day course
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71
H20
150
Ruen Drilling Inc
82, 83
103
Equipment Source 20’x40’
104105106
CMI
CMI
20’x40’ Alaska Minerals
Crowley 138 Delta P Pump a Beckwith & Kuffel Company 91 Delta Western 57 Delta Western 58 Delve Group LLC 146 DGI Geoscience Inc. 134 Donlin Gold LLC 137 Dyno Nobel Inc. 80 Eagle Enterprises, Inc. 39 Elemetal 68 Energy Laboratories Inc. 72 Ensero Solutions 10 Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd. 92 Everts Air Cargo 15 Expert Geophysics Surveys Inc. 41 Fairbanks Materials Inc. 77 Fairweather, LLC 19 Fastenal 32 Felix Gold Ltd 62 Ferguson Industrial 99 Fireweed Strategies LLC 45 Frontier Supply 88 Global Services, Inc. 128 GMS Mine Repair 55 Government of Canada 153 Horst Expediting & Remote Operations, Inc. 31 Hy-Tech Drilling USA Inc. 109 Hydrate Alaska 151 ICE Services, Inc. 140 IKO Coletanche USA 8 IMA Financial Group 69 IMDEX 87 Industrial Pumps of Alaska 46 Integrity Environmental 120 JCM Industries, Inc. 44 Kiewit Mining Group 115 Kinross Alaska 152 Logic Geophysics & Analytics LLC 101
SafeGauge
42
20’x40’
Sample Archive System, Inc. Samson Tug & Barge Co., Inc.
135
20 34
Sandvik
Schaeffer Specialized Lubricants
139 33 86 94 98 131 67
6
1 7
2 3 4 5
68 69 70 71
110111 112 116 117 118
61 62 63 64
107 108109 113 114 115
89 90 91 92 93
54 55 56 57 59 60 58
SGS North America Inc. Shoreside Petroleum Inc.
96 97
75 76 77 78
82 83 84 85 86 87 88
9 10 11 12
8
SKAPS Industries
SLR International Corporation
49 50
SMS Equipment Inc. Soloy Helicopters, LLC Sophie Station Suites Sourdough Express
98 99
122 Bar #1
13 19
14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22 23 24
6
123124125 119 120121
70 36
102 101 100
SRK Consulting
51
72 79
66 67 65
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. 114 State of Alaska DNR Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys 125 State of Alaska, DNR Division of Mining, Land & Water 142 StateFire 17 Stockholm Precision Tools USA LLC 75, 76 Techline Alaska 25, 26 Teck American Inc 28 TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. 85 Thor Global 73 Thyssen Mining Inc. 84 Top Shelf Realty 121 TOTE Maritime Alaska 64 TTT Environmental, LLC 89 UAF Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative 141 UAF Institute of Northern Engineering 148 Udelhoven Oilfield System Services, Inc. 47 US Antimony Corp 3 US Geological Survey 124 Victaulic 29 Weir 100 Yukuskokon Professional Services 136 Zonge International Inc. 50
Techline Blood Mary Bar
94 95
73 74
53 52
80 81
25 26 27 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 28
126127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136137
Check-in Table
46 47 48
(24) Rounds of 10 Dressed in white
37 38 39
43 44 45
40 41 42
Multi-functional space Breakfast Tables
Multi-functional space
Core Shack & Prospectors Tent
P
8’x24’x30”
H20
AK
US
8th Avenue
AMA CONVENTION 2025 AMA CONVENTION 2026
The Prospector's Tent is set to become an engaging platform where independent pros- pectors and early-exploration projects can showcase their mineral prospects and exciting discoveries. This unique opportunity not only facilitates the sharing of findings but also underscores the significance of sparking fresh discoveries and forging valuable partnerships within the vast terrain of Alaska. It's a dedicated space for captivating displays, informative maps, intriguing photographs, and fascinating rock samples, offering conference attendees a valuable chance to delve into the potential of early-stage properties and the collaborative opportunities they hold in Alaska's mineral-rich landscape. PROSPECTORS' TENT
Scheduled to attend:
Nick Begich Sr. – Elliot Creek
CORE SHACK: SHAPING FUTURE OF ALASKA Core Shack Happy Hour hosted by Contango Silver & Gold, Inc.!
The Core Shack brings this year’s theme, “Built to Deliver — Advancing Alaska Mining,” to life by show- casing the projects, discoveries and exploration work helping move Alaska’s mining industry forward. From early-stage exploration and promising discoveries to advanced projects moving toward development, the Core Shack highlights the work happening today that is shaping the future of mining in Alaska. Within the exhibit, participants showcase core samples, share project insights, and highlight recent progress and achievements, creating an opportuni- ty for conversation and connection across Alaska’s mining community. Together, these projects repre- sent the discovery and exploration that keep Alaska mining moving forward — and demonstrate what it means to be built to deliver.
Cook Inlet Region Inc – Alaska Earth Sciences Contango Silver & Gold Donlin Gold Kinross Silver 47 Teck America Tectonic Metals US Antimony Corp. Valhalla Metals
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FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
SHORT COURSES
Minova NC Machinery Northern Star Resources (Pogo) LLC Oxford Assaying & Refining Corp Taiga Mining Company Teck Alaska Inc. - Red Dog Mine Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc.
GOLD SPONSORS Alaska Airlines Alaska Horn & Antler Calista Corporation Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine Construction Machinery Industrial, LLC Contango Silver & Gold, Inc SILVER SPONSORS AIDEA Alaska Aggregate Products, LLC
SHORT COURSE 3: LEADERSHIP SKILLS FOR HIGH-PERFORMING TEAMS Half-day course: Nov. 2, 2026, 1 to 5 p.m. Clear communication, trust and accountability are the hallmarks of high-performing teams. But translating these values into everyday behaviors can be challenging. Join us to explore practical leadership strategies you can apply immediately to elevate team performance and drive productivity! You'll Discover: n Five building blocks of high-performing teams
Donlin Gold LLC Elemetal Felix Gold Ltd Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company ICE Services, Inc. JENNMAR Kinross Alaska MDF Global BGC Engineering, Inc. CONAM Construction Company Consulate General of Canada in Seattle Crowley Government of Canada Hy-Tech Drilling USA Inc. Consultants Ltd. Grande Portage Resources Ltd Graphite One (Alaska) Inc. HDR Engineering, Inc. Kuna Engineering, LLC Lynden Magotteaux, Inc Major Drilling Matson MTA NMS Consulting LLC Owl Ridge Natural Resource Consultants, Inc. SLR International Corporation Vision X Lighting
SHORT COURSE 1: GEOLOGY AND PROCESSING OF CRITICAL MINERALS FOR ELECTRIFICATION One-day course: Nov. 2, 2026, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alaska has high potential for many non-tra- ditional commodities now in high demand for use in batteries, motors, and other new tech- nology, including graphite, lithium, nickel, and lanthanides (rare earths). This short course will provide an overview of how deposits of these critical minerals form in nature and are mined and processed. The course will include time for open dis- cussion and viewing of hand samples and is designed for participants with a range of back- grounds from geology to mining and metallurgy. Presenters: Greg Beischer, Alaska Energy Metals; George Case, US Geological Survey – Anchorage; Chris Jenikins, US Geological Survey – Spokane; Sue Karl, US Geological Survey – Anchorage; Rebecca Stokes, US Geological Survey; Ehsan Vahidi, University of Nevada – Reno SHORT COURSE 2: CHANGE THE CONVERSATION: EDUCATE, ENGAGE, EMPLOY. Half-day course: Nov. 2, 2026, 1 to 5 p.m. During this course, participants will explore the critical connections between education, workforce development, and thriving commu- nities in Alaska. Through discussion, hands-on activities and real-world perspectives, partic- ipants will examine how these areas intersect with the mining industry and explore strategies for navigating meaningful conversations about resource development, workforce needs, com- munity priorities, and education. Participants will leave with a deeper under- standing of the collaborative role educators, industry, and communities play in shaping the future of mining and Alaska’s workforce. Presenters: Beki Toussaint - Alaska Resource Education; Taylor Burgh - Alaska Resource Education; Mike Heatwole - Pebble Partnership
n Strategies to make trust actionable n Methods to promote accountability n Options for managing conflict
Pilot & Index Mining Solutions
Redpath USA Corporation Stockholm Precision Tools USA LLC
n Pathways to manage difficult conversations Presenters: Maureen Breeze, Brooks & Nelson; M. Stephen Enders, Brooks & Nelson; Jill Nelson, Brooks & Nelson SHORT COURSE 4: PROTECT THE PROJECT: CONSULTANT AGREEMENTS, PRIVILEGE, AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT FOR ALASKA MINING Half-day course: Nov. 2, 2026, 1 to 5 p.m. This course will provide practical guidance on how mining companies, consultants and legal counsel can create, preserve and defend privi- leged information in exploration, permitting and development. The course will examine how to structure effec- tive working relationships; draft and design service agreements that clearly define roles, scopes, deliverables, decision-making authority, and responsibility for risk; establish an information architecture governing how technical, legal, and business information is created, reviewed, shared, stored, and protected; and coordinate consultant work with permitting and legal strategy. Designed for mining companies and the consultants who support them, the course will offer practical tools to move projects forward efficiently, protect sensitive information, and build durable projects capable of withstanding regulatory review, public scrutiny, personnel changes, and potential disputes. Presenter: Shannon Bleicher - Stoel Rives; Cody Doig - Stoel Rives; Andrew Irvine - Stoel Rives; Ramona Monroe - Stoel Rives; Willa Perlmutter - Stoel Rives
Alaska Business Alaska Frontier Constructors ASRC Energy Services
Tectonic Metals Inc US Antimony Corp WSP USA Inc.
North of 60 Mining News Pebble Limited Partnership Republic Services
COPPER SPONSORS Alaska Earth Sciences Alaska Roteq Alaska Silver Ambler Metals LLC Boreal Environmental Services Chugach Alaska Corporation Coastal Helicopters, Inc. ConocoPhillips Denali Industrial Supply, Inc. Equity Exploration COAL SPONSORS Alasconnect Cyr Drilling USA Inc. Industrial Pumps of Alaska Northern Permafrost
RESPEC Sandvik South32
SRK Consulting Stoel Rives LLP Tower Hill Mines
U.S. GoldMining Inc. Valhalla Metals Inc Vizsla Copper
GRAVEL SPONSORS ACZ Laboratories, Inc. Black Gold Transport, LLC Zinnolithic LLC
HR Roundtable Sponsor: P & C Recruiting and HR Lanyard Sponsor: Ruen Drilling, Inc. Program: PIP Printing
Car Rental Vouchers: Alaska Auto Rental
SPECIALTY SPONSORS
Gold & Specialty Core Shack Happy Hour: Contango Silver & Gold, Inc.
Bags: Boart Longyear Banquet Wine: Orica
CONNECTIONS START HERE
AMA YOUNG PROFESSIONALS NIGHT
7:00 - 9:00 pm BLARNEY STONE PUB TUES NOV 3 Networking, Rock Fight, AMA Bingo, Prizes, Drinks, Food & More!
Open to new and seasoned professionals
AMA CONVENTION 2025 AMA CONVENTION 2026
Building world-class mines since 1962.
Pitka Pavloff and family, undated
Sergei Cherovsky and family, undated
MINE DEVELOPMENT SHAFT SINKING MASS EXCAVATION PRODUCTION MINING RAISEBORING MECHANIZED RAISE MINING UNDERGROUND CONSTRUCTION MECHANICAL EXCAVATION PRODUCTION DRILLING ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES SPECIALTY SERVICES
JOIN US FOR HISTORY NIGHT HONORING ALASKA PIONEERS
In the summer of 1892, Pitka Pavloff and Sergei Cherosky discovered payable quantities of placer gold on Birch Creek in what became the Circle Mining District. Unfortunately, Pavloff and Cherovsky were not recognized as U.S. citizens due to their mixed Russian-indigenous origins and could not stake nor own federal mining claims. Hence, most published historical accounts attribute John McLeod and Gus Williams as discovering gold in the Circle Mining District a few miles west of the mouth of the South Fork of Birch Creek in August 1893.
In 1924, U.S. citizenship was granted to all indigenous peoples in Alaska, which allowed them to stake and own mining claims. Both Pavloff and Cherosky will be inducted into the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame during history night. The History Night lecture, which will presented by AMHF's Tom Bundtzen, will cover these historical events and explore other significant Alaskan minerals discoveries involving indigenous people during the early 20th Century. Photos Courtesy Sarah Behr, Circle Mining District Museum
AFRICA | AMERICAS | ASIA | AUSTRALIA | EUROPE
redpathmining.com
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
AMA CONVENTION 2025 AMA CONVENTION 2026
OUR BIGGEST PARTY OF THE YEAR!
SUPPORTING WOMEN IN MINING
Women in Mining Alaska is excited to host its third annual mixer during the AMA Convention from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 4. The event brings together mining professionals, industry leaders and supporters to celebrate and strengthen Alaska’s mining community. This year, Women in Mining Alaska is proud to launch the inaugural WIM Alaska Scholarship, which will be awarded beginning in 2027. The scholarship will be open to Alaska residents of any gender who are pursuing education with the goal of building a career in the mining industry. Additional information about the WIM Alaska Scholarship, including eligibility and application details, is available at womeninmining.us/scholarships.
Join us to celebrate Alaska mining and honor our best at the AMA Convention Annual Awards Banquet, Thursday, Nov. 5 at the Marriott Hotel. Cocktail hour begins at 6 p.m with dinner at 7 p.m. Dress to impress in your best Wild West!
JOIN
THE
Sca v enge r
H u n t
At the Alaska Miners Association Annual Convention Nov 2 – 5 | Anchorage, AK Join North of 60 Mining News and participating vendors for a scavenger hunt to win prizes!
To begin, pick up a game card at the registration desk, in the welcome bag or stop by the North of 60 Mining News booth. Visit each vendor on the card to receive a signature – turn in your completed signature card with your contact information.
Prize drawing will be on the morning of November 5. Need not be present to win!
Join the hunt!
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
HECLA GREENS CREEK CELEBRATES SAFETY MILESTONE
Challenges with noise and dust? For us it’s no problem.
On Jan. 16, the Hecla Greens Creek Mine's Mill Operations Department hit the 10-year mark as a department without a Lost Time Injury (LTI). Greens Creek noted that roughly 1.2 million man hours were reported during that time without an LTI. Congratulations to the entire team at Greens Creek on this historic milestone and for continuing to show that safety is job No. 1 in Alaska's mining operations! See more from the Mill team on the following pages. Photos by Hecla Greens Creek Mine
SCAN HERE to learn more
From large stones to the smallest grains: Bulk solids come in all types, shapes and sizes, but choosing the right
on all your important process values – and still have time to crack the really hard rocks. Everything is possible. With VEGA.
vega.com
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
HECLA GREENS CREEK CELEBRATES SAFETY MILESTONE
MILL OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT LOGS DECADE WITHOUT INJURY
BJ Orr, Mill Operations Shift Coordinator, 2016 "In the mill, we deal with a lot of hazards every day, from chemicals, tripping hazards, moving parts and heavy equipment all in the same environment. Working safely means always staying alert to those risks, not getting complacent and constantly reas- sessing what’s around you as conditions change. It also means controlling what you can, speaking up when something isn’t right and making sure you’re always aware of both your own task and the bigger picture around you so hazards are caught before they lead to an incident. "We hold each other accountable by having con- versations and leading by example. It's not about getting someone in trouble — it's about making sure everyone goes home safe. When safety becomes everyone's responsibility instead of just manage- ment's, accountability feels like teamwork rather than punishment." Tyler Ellis, Assay Lab Tech VI, 2016 "Before this, I worked in analytical labs doing water chemistry — municipal, environmental, that kind of work. There were real hazards, chemical exposure, the standard lab risks. But it's a different category than this. Fire assay involves open flame, molten metal, lead and flux at temperatures that don't leave room for error. The AA work here means stronger acid matrices and higher-stakes sample volumes than anything I dealt with in water testing. The con- sequence of a lapse is just higher here. That context makes the 10-year record more meaningful to me, not less — this isn't a low-hazard environment where a clean record is easy to maintain.
COURTESY GREENS CREEK MINE Safety is measured one shift, one decision and one day at a time. At Greens Creek Mine, that commit- ment has added up to an extraordinary milestone. On Jan. 16, 2026, the Greens Creek mill department marked 10 years without a lost-time injury (LTI) — representing roughly 1.2 million hours worked without an LTI. The achievement reflects a sustained commitment to safe work practices, teamwork and looking out for one another across the mill operation. Employees who have helped build that safety culture say the milestone is about more than a number. It represents the daily choices made by crews, super- visors and individuals to put safety first and ensure everyone goes home safely at the end of each shift. Five longtime Greens Creek mill employees — with years of service ranging from 2009 to 2018 — share their perspectives on what the milestone means and the culture that helped make it possible: Tommy Martin, Mill Operations Shift Coordinator, 2009 "Working at Greens Creek for most of the last 10 years has given me the opportunity to contribute to our outstanding safety record. As a shifter, I believe we have built a strong safety culture where everyone looks out for one another every day. "Our mill operators take the time to think through each task before acting instead of rushing into it, and that mindset has helped keep people safe. "As we move toward year 11, we aren't focused on the number — we simply take it one shift at a time and continue doing the right things."
INNOVATIVE MINING
Innovation is the bedrock on which we operate. We invest in technologies that help keep our workers safe, reduce our environmental impact, and increase our production.
HECLA | RESPONSIBLE. SUSTAINABLE. INNOVATIVE.
hecla.com/operations/greens-creek-alaska
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FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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