FĹ å±ÏĘ ĜŸŸƚå ŅüĘåeĬ±Ÿĩ± aĜĹåųØƵå ŞųŅĀĬå ±Ĺeae ĵåĵÆåųŅųeĬ±Ÿĩ±ĹƵĘŅűŸĵ±ĩĜĹč±ŸĜčĹĜĀϱĹƋÏŅĹƋųĜ - bution to the industry, our state and our association. This issue we’re talking with Tisha Kuhns, Vice President of Land and Natural Resources for Calista Corporation, one of Alaska’s Native Corporations. After more than a decade working directly on the Donlin Project, she now Ĭå±ÚŸ±ĬĜŸƋ±űŸåýŅųƋŸĜĹŸƚŞŞŅųƋŅüƋʱƋŞųŅģåÏƋţ ÏĘ ĜŸŸƚå Ņü Ęå eĬ±Ÿĩ± aĜĹåų Ƶå ŞųŅĀĬå ±Ĺ eae K Ʋ+EGIWSJ2MRMRK
Tisha Kuhns Calista Corporation
Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? This one is a challenging question, as I had many excellent mentors, all of who have provided guid- ance, from core logging/geology, environmental baseline studies and database management (both ge- ology and water quality baseline management), and back to geology/exploration but this time in a private land owner position under an Alaska Native regional corporation, Calista Corporation. We have a 6.5-mil- lion-acre entitlement, with about 267,000 acres of private land for potential resource development (yes, we’re great landowners and partners!). With careful oversight as a private landowner, we are excited to see the next steps at the Donlin project. What lessons have you learned that you want to share with new miners? -PZ[PYXTYOPOLYOʮPcTMWP8TYTYRT^Q`WWZQPc - [PN_L_TZY^LYOPʯNTPYNdbT_STYLM`ORP_ ,__TXP^ it isn’t easy, with long shifts away from family and long work hours, but it really makes you appreciate the ability to do some hard but meaningful work. Ad- ditionally, for miners new to Alaska take the time to attend short courses for continuing education credits through various conferences like the Alaska Miner’s Association, RoundUP, AEMA or PDAC. BSL_bZ`WOdZ`OZOTʬP]PY_Wd* Perhaps have taken the time to get a master’s de- gree. I intended to head back to university after a few years’ experience in exploration mining, but then a little thing called life happened: two kids and large career movement by expanding my skill set into the environmental baseline management. Currently, I’m testing the masters program at APU, so we’ll see what I decide. My journey has been exciting and reward- ing, and this newest chapter of working for Calista Corporation for the Land and Natural Resource de- partment blows me away every day. To be a part of this team to bring on responsible development of the Donlin Gold mine is such an exciting time! graduate Exchange at Southern Oregon University in 2000, I had chosen biology as my major. After being YZ_TʭPO_SL_4bL^Yɪ_LMWP_ZNSZZ^P_SL_XLUZ]O`P to the high demand of that degree for in-state stu- dents, I was provided a list of alternative degree op- tions. I QUICKLY circled geology as my new declared major, never imagining it would take me this far! What was one experience you will never forget? When I was accepted into the Western Under-
I am more than content with the quickest decision of my life. Even my father thought I was silly! Gold prices were down in 2000, and as a result there was a shortage of geology posi- tions in AK, so, naturally, he was worried about me. It turned out quite alright!
What do you love most about this business? 3LYO^OZbYʭPWObZ]V?SP]PT^YZ_STYRXZ]P priceless than travel, fresh air, good company with hiking, and the gorgeous Alaskan nature while working. The other aspect that I love with this busi- ness in mining, is that our industry prides itself on environmental stewardship. This industry has prov- en time and time again that responsible develop- ment is done with exceptional environmental over- sight. If you think about it, we have never heard any operator outright say that they want a disaster of any sort. Instead, we collaborate on ideas on how to meet and exceed the basic environmental require- XPY_^4_T^\`T_P^[PNTLW_Z^PPOTʬP]PY_Z[P]L_Z]^ come together for safety and environmental stew- ardship, and collectively applaud those operations who have achieved this status. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? What do you see as our biggest challenges? And opportunities? Though we have six large mines in Alaska, we’re seeing more movement in exploration, which is en- couraging. With the hope that Donlin goes live, and potential expansions of existing mines and bringing new mines online, this only strengthens our econ- omy. We have so much of our state that we don’t fully understand for resource potential, so I would say that Alaska is young in that aspect. We have ex- cellent and modern developments and ideas. We also L]P^`NNP^^Q`WTYbZ]VTYRbT_SOTʬP]PY_LRPYNTP^ which will just strengthen the working relationships for positive developments. What keeps you awake at night? We currently have 31,000+ Calista shareholders in our region. Gaining a self-grounding vision to serve all shareholders is extremely important to me and is
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The Alaska Miner
January 2020
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