In each issue of The Alaska Miner, we interview an out- standing leader in and member of our industry. This time we are talking with Dan Graham, longtime miner and new general manager of Donlin Gold. Faces of Mining
Dan Graham Donlin Gold
Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? I don’t believe there is any one single person anyone can point to but rather you become the product of ALL the people you get exposed to over the life of a career. I feel very fortunate to have been able to work with and for the various people, companies and organizations over the years. In your day to day work, you observe good traits you admire and adopt as part of your own mannerisms and habits, and you observe things you disagree with and they serve as good reminders of how not to handle certain situations. What lessons have you learned that you want to share with new miners? Probably the two most important lessons I have learned: (1) this is a small state and small industry — don’t burn bridges. It is incredible how many people recirculate through your working days at different points of your ca - reer. (2) Don’t be afraid to take chances. I had a great ca - reer out of college working for the Usibelli’s (a great fam- ily company) and could have likely spent my entire career there and been very comfortable – but taking the chance to move on and try something new has led to a series of wonderful challenges and opportunities I never would have been able to otherwise experience. Life is good. Also, I am a firm believer that attitude is everything. A positive attitude and good work ethic can overcome many many shortcomings in life. What would you do differently? It seems like you can always look back and be critical of things you wish you had done differently, maybe if you had put in a little more time, pushed a little harder, or whatever it may be — but I hate wasting energy looking in the rear- view mirror. Learn from mistakes and live forward. What was one experience you will never forget? I was working for two business partners who were lifelong schoolyard friends in Dallas — Dick Bass and Herbert Hunt. When I started working for them, they were both into their late 70s or early 80s. Both very suc - cessful businessmen. We were looking at a unique con- veyor system for the project I was managing, and the closest installation was in Jamaica. They wanted to see one in action - so the three of us got plane tickets, I met them in Dallas, and off to Jamaica we went. Herbert was forever the businessman – focused and serious – and Dick (“the Largemouth Bass from Dalass” he would call himself) was the ultimate storyteller – we never could keep him on track. Herbert was constantly telling Dick in his sly, calm way to “Dick - wrap it up” and Dick would respond each and every time in a very boisterous and an- imated fashion “let me finish”. The two were a walking stand-up comedy routine! I was a willing observer trav- elling with them for four days and just taking it all in. A trip I will never forget.
What do you love most
about this business?
The people. Without a doubt. People in this busi- ness love to make a living being outside, moving dirt and building things — a love we all share. The com- radery you find in this busi - ness is rampant and lasting — I cherish that the most.
Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? Well, unfortunately, my vantage point by then will probably be looking up at it from six feet under… but while our society may have visions of a carbon free econ- omy at some point in the future, there is no replacement for minerals. It is a part of our essential needs and min- ing is here to stay. I hope to see us as an industry contin- ue to advance our safety technology, our protections for the environment and our reclamation work so we can be an industry people understand, trust and welcome rath- er than often be viewed with a critical eye and negative connotations from people not familiar with mining like we experience today. I’ve always dreamed what it would be like to be working for a mine project and walk into a public meeting and be welcomed rather than scowled at. Mining’s biggest challenges are perception and ac- ceptance. Mining has made strides in trying to show the public that we are a different industry and society than we were 100 years ago. Mines can and do make good neighbors and provide a great way of living while pro- tecting the land we live and play in. Mining communities like Healy and Fairbanks generally understand this. Ar- eas that have not been exposed to mining nor are famil- iar with mining start at a place of fear of the unknown, which is often based on outdated or misinformation. Alaska’s biggest challenge is getting our fiscal house in order. The Permanent Fund was established so future generations can continue to enjoy the benefits of oil that have been enjoyed by the past generation of Alaskans. That is what the founders of the fund intended — a per- petual benefit. The primary benefits oil has provided to Alaska (besides jobs and business opportunities) have been funding state government and large capital project budgets with no statewide taxes needed (the PFD was an afterthought – not the purpose of the permanent fund). While the days of large capital budgets are behind us, the time for funding government with income from the corpus of the permanent fund is upon us. Our challenge is to come together and devise a realistic fiscal plan that makes use of this well-planned investment the founders What do you see as our biggest challenges? And opportunities?
16
The Alaska Miner
October 2020
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