In each issue of The Alaska Miner, we profile an active miner and member of AMA. In this issue, Haynes Tormey discusses his unique perspective on mining. Faces of Mining
BY LEE LESCHPER Haynes Tormey defies stereotypes. Haynes Tormey Haines Sportsman’s Association
Local forums are a way to engage the local population on mining technologies and the different types of mining. And to share what is in place to help protect our local interests. “I joined AMA be-
And in Southeast Alaska, he might just be creating the vision of how Alaska miners and other industries can begin to work together for a better future. “I grew up in mining. I was raised in Haines and Juneau, and when my father moved away, I finished high school there solo and working at Les Schwab (a Juneau tire store). “I was struggling in school, so I applied to Greens Creek at 17 and started work there two weeks past graduation. I started working underground and was soon making more than my teachers. It saved me and set me on a career that I never knew where it would go. I ended up leaving Greens Creek, joining the operating engineers, specializing in crushing. So, I was still under MSHA (mine safety training).” He laughed and paused in the interview. “As we’re talking right now, I’m working on top of a rock crusher!” Haynes, 37, has dedicated himself to bridging the sometimes-vast gap between Alaska industries. He is passionate about the importance of indus- tries like mining providing essential careers and op- portunities in small town Alaska. “I moved back home to Haines, and there were no living wage jobs here. I was picking up with the State to make ends meet. And I worked as a gillnet- ter for three years.” Working with commercial fishermen was an eye-opening experience for him. “It blew me away the amount of misinformation being spewed around the docks. I found myself be- coming a champion for both industries. Industry in general all need to support teach other. “We have the Constantine development here right now, in the far stages of exploration. There’s some lo- cal opposition and I found myself in a unique position. “Half my family is Tlingit, and half is white. Half are fishermen and the other half are miners. I have lived in both worlds and figured out that with local effort my voice is best raised to let people know that I’ve walked on both sides and that mining is import- ant to both the state and our local economy. And the scare tactics used continuously to blame mining for the slow demise of commercial fish stocks is asinine. “I joined the mining steering committee as a rep- resentative for the Haines Sportsman’s Association.
cause of meetings here, just a great bunch of well-rounded people.” He says AMA provides a critical role in the state, beyond just mining. “I think it is the close organization and relation- ships with people that appreciate the industry. The chance to get together for weekly barbecues and cof- fee, to discuss not just mining topics. AMA has been pretty charitable toward local organizations and the community. It has a good reputation here. “I’m on this personal quest to try and help indus- try grown in this town which has been stagnant for 25 years. It led me to start my own business, Haines Industrial Supply. We have a rock crusher inside the shop on one side and the other side is commercial fishing boat storage.” “Talk about some interesting conversations in- side the store around coffee! “We are all trying to do the same things—live the American dream, raise our kids. It’s been an inter- esting ride. He is infectiously optimistic. “We have got some good opportunities statewide. We have a great new governor in place who knows the importance of mining. Haines has historically been very divided and has tipped more liberal left recently. “The volume of the rhetoric has turned up and longtime beliefs are being challenged. I truly believe that the current regulations in place are sufficient to protect the local environment. That doesn’t mean we can’t constantly refine and change to protect them, but we don’t want to go too far overboard either. “One thing I’ve constantly said is we have a really good opportunity here to build a 21st Century mine, with strategies and technologies that probably not been done elsewhere, all in one package deal. That challenge alone is worth the risk, but it is a strong situation. “Of the local fishermen, 50 percent support the project. Even though salmon are constantly used as a
The Alaska Miner
January 2019
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