In this and future issues of The Alaska Miner, we will introduce you to some of the younger members of our industry, who are the future of mining in Alaska. Here we interview Danielle Snodgrass of Kinross Fort Knox.
hiking, berry picking, and exploring new territories with my husband and two German Shepherd dogs. Anything else you want to share? Since joining the mining communi- _dTY 4SLaP]PLWWdL[[]PNTL_PO_SP knowledge and insight gained in such a vital and huge industry. Mining is an important and crucial industry that anyone can be part of.
cost of mining in extreme weather con- ditions, high cost of living, and the time and cost to transport goods to the mine. With that, there are some great opportu- nities that come with these challenges. One being the opportunity to work with _PNSYZWZRTP^ _SL_ L^^T^_ TY PʯNTPY_Wd and safely operating in the Arctic.
What brought you to work in mining and what has most surprised you? Shortly after I married my husband, bP XZaPO _Z 0WVZ 9PaLOL bSP]P Xd husband started his mining engineer career. About six months after he start- PO 4 ]PNPTaPO L [Z^T_TZY L^ LY 3= L^ - sistant with the same mine. Something that continues to surprise me with mining is just how complex it is. Ev- ery department plays a vital role in the entire process. The more insight I gain, the more I realize how crucial the roles are that each department plays. Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? My mother-in-law, Darlene, has been a great supporter and inspiration for me working in mining. The big- gest lesson I have learned from her is hard work through adversity. In min- ing, change can happen rapidly in any given day, from weather conditions, to equipment maintenance, or the gold market. Conditions can change \`TNVWdLYOPʬPN_[]ZO`N_TZY What lessons have you learned that you want to share with new miners? Safety. If there is anything I have learned, you never compromise your safety for the sake of production. The gold will always be there, but you will YZ_9PaP]NZX[]ZXT^PZ]_LVP^SZ]_ cuts to get to the gold faster. Safety is vital in this industry. What is an experience you won’t forget? Operating an electric shovel was one of the most memorable experiences I have in mining. I had the opportunity to do a ride along while at the Kinross Bald Mountain site. With the guidance of the operator and trainer, he safely instructed me on how to operate the shovel. The feeling of scooping up one bucket load, knowing it is the size of my truck, was quite exhilarating. What do you love most about mining? I love being a part of an industry that is directly boosting our economy and providing a good that is used in so many manufactured goods. What do you see as our biggest chal- lenges? And opportunities? Some of the biggest challenges with being a mine in, Alaska would be the
What do you do for fun? I really enjoy time outdoors, going
PROTECTING OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE
Usibelli Coal Mine produces more than one million tons of coal every year, helping energize Interior Alaska. Yet our most precious resource isn’t coal—it’s the people who mine it. We’ve worked hard to keep our employees safe, and the results are gratifying.
Employees surpassed their all- time safety record in April 2019 and by the end of the year, worked more than 1,000 days without a lost time accident. Our employees are committed to excellence in mining, and in practicing everyday safety—at work, at home and at play.
WWW.USIBELLI.COM
15
July 2020
The Alaska Miner
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