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.
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While there, I reviewed some ancient mining texts
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
FALL 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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