,Q HDFK LVVXH RI 7KH $ODVND 0LQHU ZH SURÀOH DQ active miner and member of AMA. In this issue, Alaska State Sen. Click Bishop discusses the future of mining. DFK LVVXH RI 7KH $ODVND 0LQHU ZH SURÀOH DQ ü ď Ǖ8±ÏåžƐŇüƐaĞĻĞĻď
Click Bishop Alaska State Senator
BY LEE LESCHPER Tell us about your mining experience and your mine. I think mining is in my genetics, ha! My great- great uncle was a 49er who participated in the Cal- ifornia Gold Rush and my grandfather was a clay miner in Missouri. My folks have pictures of me on Xdʭ]^__]T[_Z_SP6WZYOTVPTYQ]ZY_ZQZYPZQ_SP old dredges when I was a toddler. Gold mining has always fascinated me since I was a child living at these remote construction camp sites around Alaska where my father worked for Green Construction building roads and airports. I read everything I could get my hands on related to mining in the Klondike and Alaska. My mother always said I was born 100 years too late, I missed the stampede to the Klondike and Alaska. Darlene and I have a small placer operation west of Fairbanks. She calls it my big sand box. It’s a one-man operation, but we enjoy the friends and family who come out and want to help and take part in the outdoors. It is something I want to pass on to my grand- children, the next generation of Alaskans. Alaska has been a wonderful place to experience _SPZ`_OZZ]^4_SL^^ZX`NS_ZZʬP]4PYUZd_]L[ - ping, when I have time, being a legislator has not allowed me to participate in this so much lately. My late father-in-law Bill Taylor, and brothers-in-law Greg and Ricky Taylor, own a sled dog kennel, so at one time I dabbled in dog mushing. What other outdoor experiences would you like to share? I was fortunate to win the Yukon 800 boat race a couple times which runs from Fairbanks to Galena and back on handmade wooden boats for a total of #XTWP^4ɪaPNZXXP]NTLWWdʭ^SPOZY_SP?LYLYL LYOD`VZY=TaP]^LYObL^Lʭ^SM`dP]QZ]-TWWLWZYR the rivers between Manley Hot Springs and the vil- lage of Rampart, the village where my late mother- in-law, Ann Taylor was born. Rampart was once a booming mining district and we have some claims in that area as well. I enjoyed hearing the stories of the old miners in that district from Ann and other elders who grew up in Rampart.
Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? There have been many mentors Don DeLima, Jack Neubauer, Bill Carlo, Doug Colp, Dave Johnson, Stan- ley Dayo, Tony Lanning, Bill Lanning and more.
Probably the best advice I got was from Tony Lanning.. He said, shallow ground is what you want — safer, stay away from deep ground. The one I spent the most time with was the late Don DeLima and his family. I enjoyed the many visits I had with him — the stories, the lessons, the friendship. There is so much, but the most important advice I can give is to spend the time and money on the front end of prospecting the potential resource, by drilling. If the ground is shallow, trench with an excavator and test that. But, be honest with your- self with the test results, then do the math to see if it is economical. What lessons have your learned that you want to share with new miners? BSL_bZ`WOdZ`OZOTʬP]PY_Wd* I cannot think of anything I would have done OTʬP]PY_Wd4LXNZY_PY_L_bSP]P4LXL_PYUZdTYR the journey. Just wished my other responsibilities allowed me more time out there. What was one experience you will never forget? The best time is when all of the family is with me. One experience I will never forget was when we were able to make it possible for my dad to travel up from the Lower 48, while he was still physically able to. It was a great time for the whole family. What do you love the most about this business? I enjoy being in the outdoors. I enjoy operating heavy equipment. I enjoy the challenge of the busi- ness. I really enjoy the camaraderie with the other miners, they are generous with their knowledge, always willing to help one another out.
The Alaska Miner
April 2019
16
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