Alaska mining thrives, even during pandemic
down if the pandemic hit the mines. “As things started to get under control, the mines developed safety measures and protocols to protect the miners and contractors, and the work was able to proceed.” “And not only have we continued work but we’ve been able to add to it. The current market conditions are great for precious metals, and there have been additional resources made available from the slow-down in oth- er areas, so we’ve been able to make a year out of it.” Finding solutions is the core of mining, he added. “Miners are encouraged to solve complex challenges every day. There is nothing easy about mining. If you stop every time it became difficult, we wouldn’t have any mines.” And with- out those, we wouldn’t have phones,
cars, most of the basic items that we use in daily life.” “We can overcome it. That’s a big part of why we’ve been able to con- tinue operations. It’s a proud accom- plishment for me to be able to main- tain our employee level compared to recent years given the impact of the pandemic. Because of mining, we’ve been able to keep people employed and working in Alaska. “Many people don’t realize how much mining has done for the State of Alaska, much even before State- hood. I believe it’s important to un- derstand how much this State needs these mines.” “We are all in this together. And we are open for business.”
Alaska Aggregate Products working on multiple projects To say 2020 has been a challenging year would be a mere understatement. As the pandemic has plagued our na- tion, Alaskans have not been shielded from the effects. A bit of silver-lining can be found as we look at the tremen- dous work many Alaskan companies are continuing during these uncertain times. One such company is AAP. Kirk Zerkel is the majority own- er and president of Alaska Aggregate Products LLC (AAP), a Palmer Alas- ka construction company working throughout Alaska since 2010. AAP is a mine infrastructure and support services contractor, specializing in heavy civil, geosynthetics installation, concrete and piping. AAP currently employees approximately 60 employ - ees within Alaska, and another 25 out of State, all supporting the mining in- dustry. AAP has worked at Pogo, Kensing- ton, Fort Knox, Red Dog and many exploration projects. “We’ve always had a focus on supporting the Mining Industry” At Fort Knox, we have been con- structing Heap Leach pads for several years, which include not only earth- works but installation of Geosynthet- ics. This year, AAP will install over 5 million square feet of HDPE Liner and other geosynthetic materials. ”At Pogo, we are constructing concrete foundations and other civil works as part of a large mill expansion proj- ect.” Experience in dealing with uncer- tainty was a big help during the chal- lenges of working through a pandem- ic, he reflected. “In March and April, like many others in the mining community, we didn’t know if we’d be shutting our doors or what we were going to do. We were in conversation about proj- ects, but not sure if they would be shut
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October 2020
The Alaska Miner
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