]ZNVɨLW^Z[WLdL^TRYTʭNLY_]ZWPTYXdWTQP1Z] years I have lived in a small rural town 42 miles south of Healy called Cantwell, Alaska. The winter season gives jobs using minerals to many people in this community. One issue for many people living in this remote community in winter is driving on the road after a heavy snow. One entity that impacts all the com- munities here is the Department of Transportation. Some of the services they provide are maintain- ing the roadways, which includes removing snow and ice. They are responsible for spreading gravel, sand, salt or dirt to help with traction while driv- ing. The mining that is done for these minerals helps keep the Parks Highway open for locals (includ- ing me), for emergency services, highway travelers and tourists. In summary, minerals mined in Alaska play a leading role in my life in terms of career explora- tion, quality of school activities, safety, and avail- ability of basic utilities that improve my quality of life. Knowing how Alaska resources impact my life I am appreciative, and plan to make a career in the workforce built around the mining and use of these mineral resources.
LEE, CONTINUED from PAGE 22
My background allows me to clearly experience _SP^TRYTʭNLY_]ZWP^_SP^PXTYP]LW^[WLdTYXdWTQP Locally and worldwide, coal is in high demand as LYPʯNTPY_PYP]Rd]P^Z`]NP@.8WZNL_POTY3PLWd at milepost 248 Parks Highway, is currently the only operating coal mine in Alaska. UCM supplies coal for these power plants: Golden Valley Electric Association, Aurora Energy, Doyon Utilities, and University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). -P_bPPY_SPX_SP^P[WLY_^ZʬP]PWPN_]TNT_dLYO or heat to Eielson AFB, Fort Wainwright, and UAF (McDowell Group, 2018). In this way coal indirect- ly supports national security and education in my home state of Alaska. Furthermore, not only does UCM coal supply the military and university with power, it also provides LY PʯNTPY_ ^Z`]NP QZ] PWPN_]TNT_d LYO SPL_TYR QZ] many homes, businesses and buildings along the Parks Highway corridor, Fairbanks and Anchorage regions (U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2019). Coal, through UCM, plays an indirect yet sizable role in my student life at the Denali Borough School District. UCM donates generously and provides multiple fundraising opportunities to school-re- WL_PO LN_TaT_TP^ TY ^[Z]_^ ʭYP L]_^ LYO ^_`OPY_ government. In this way, UCM helps keep kids ac- tive. When students take part in healthy activities, our whole community is healthier. Another role in my life that coal plays (through UCM) is to give me the opportunity for career ex- [WZ]L_TZY@.8ZʬP]^^PXP^_P]LYOdPL]WZYRTY - ternships to juniors and seniors, to help them learn LMZ`_NL]PP]ʭPWO^_SPdXLd[`]^`PTY_SPQ`_`]P Currently, I myself am getting the opportuni- ty to do an internship with the light-duty diesel mechanic at UCM. This program is giving me the chance to further my knowledge and experiences in the real life workforce, and to push myself in a positive direction to reach my goals after high school. The mining operation provides a concrete learn- ing experience in the career that will be part of my life forever. UCM strongly encourages high school students to apply for internships in skilled jobs ranging from oiler to engineer. Student interns shadow workers within the position they have se- lected, and these students get hands-on training and work experience. Clearly, coal indirectly plays a key role in my ca- reer development. The construction minerals — sand, gravel, and
Helping mines thrive.
Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 450-1425 steve.reidsma@stantec.com Victor Ross (907) 352-7809 victor.ross@stantec.com
25
January 2020
The Alaska Miner
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