per turbine, according to the World Bank. And electric engines contain four times as much copper as com- bustion engines.
LW^ZʭYORZWOTY_SP^VTP^NZL_TYR _SPNLYZ[TP^ZQʭRS_P]UP_^WTVP_SP F-22, and even in outer space. In addition to its conductive proper- ties, gold provides some protec- tion from solar radiation, so it’s used by NASA in a variety of ways, including as shielding on the hel- mets worn by astronauts. When it comes to Alaskans’ health and safety, though, it’s pos- sible that nothing beats the state’s single largest export. Zinc can be
METALS, CONTINUED from PAGE 39
“Think of how many Alaskans L]PPT_SP]WTaTYRZʬ_SPR]TOZ]_]d - ing to reduce their carbon footprint out there,” Satre said. “You look at how solar cells are used throughout the state.” That wouldn’t be possible with- out the metals that are produced in Alaska, he said. “Even as we’re transitioning to a green economy, a renewable economy, the basic building blocks of that economy are still pro- duced in Alaska’s mines,” Sa- tre said. Globally, silver is seeing in- creased demand for green en- ergy applications. “Silver paste is one of the critical elements in producing these photovoltaic cells out there,” Satre said. Alaska’s metals are like- ly back at work in the state getting eco-conscious drivers from place to place, too, in the batteries and systems power- ing hybrid and electric cars. “Juneau ranks third in the nation in terms of electric ve- hicles per capita,” Satre said. “It makes perfect sense to have an electric vehicle here. That’s another place where lead, zinc (and) copper come to play, and then silver and gold for the high-end electronics.” One of the most in-demand minerals for renewables is one that isn’t currently being mined in Alaska. “It takes a lot of copper for renewable energy,” said Beki Toussaint, education program manager for Alaska Resource Education. “We’re going to see an exponential growth in de- mand for copper.” Solar energy requires about ʭaP _TXP^ L^ X`NS NZ[[P] L^ conventional energy systems to generate a kilowatt hour of electricity, she said. A large Zʬ^SZ]P bTYO QL]X YPPO^ about 10 times as much cop- per to produce the same kilo- watt hour — about 4.7 tons
Fighter jets, astronauts and more
The minerals mined in Alas- ka can turn up in some surpris- ing places as well — like your car, where the sensor that triggers your airbag is made of rust-proof gold. According to Toussaint, you’ll
CONTINUED on PAGE 42
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Changing the way business is done in Alaska
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January 2020
The Alaska Miner
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