THE ALASKA MINER JOURNAL: The publication is member-only news mailed to AMA members, eight times a year, in months when the Magazine is not published. The Alaska Miner Journal is dedicated to those who work in and support the mining industry in Alaska, its commitment to the people, and the resources of our state. Our goal is to disseminate information on responsible mineral development, educating the public about the value of mining, providing information for our membership and the general public, providing policymakers the information they need to understand the mining industry and monitor political and regulatory processes affecting mining in Alaska.
May 2021 Volume 49, Number 5
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
Kinross Gold Corp. announced it has officially decided to develop Gil-Sourdough, a satellite gold deposit about 8 miles east of the Kinross Alaska mill. Read more on Page 6.
Kinross Gold Taps New Area
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A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Members, Welcome to summer!
your input in last month’s survey. It helped us to decide what to plan for moving forward. The dates of the event will be October 31-November 6, at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. We are currently finalizing one track of technical sessions, several short courses, a trade show, banquet, and the things you love about our typical format. In addition, we’ll be building out our Core Shack & Prospectors Tent. Varina Zinno and Jerad Anderson are accepting expressions of interest for a booth starting now and can be reached at janderson@avidiangold.com and vzinno@ calistacorp.com.
After a long, dark and challenging winter of social distancing, political change, and question marks about the future, it is great to have that new-start feeling of seeing the last of the snow and the first days of a new summer mining season. It’s already been a busy year and this issue of the Journal looks at the summer ahead. While you are out mining, we are here working to make sure you can continue. The annual Fraser Institute recently updated the best and worst places in the world to
In addition to our convention, it’s exciting to have real live events on our calendar again! We are preparing for Mining Day at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer and the Tanana Valley Fair in Fairbanks. Stay tuned for updates on how you can volunteer for these events, which ensures the mining industry reaches thousands of Alaskans. We’re also excited to look toward MinExpo in September and the American Exploration & Mining Association in December. This month we say farewell to several old friends. Russian geologist and longtime friend of Alaska Evgeny G. (Eugene) Sidorov passed away March 20. Sherry Lynn Shimek, who worked in support roles for several Alaska geology companies, passed away Feb. 20. You have probably already seen our tribute to Gail Phillips in April’s Alaska Miner magazine. Gail was a leader, friend, and mentor, and a proud 55-year member of AMA. If you missed it, please check out the entire April issue on our website. It is truly the people that make our industry amazing. I wish you all a safe and productive summer and we’ll be hard at work on your behalf.
mine, and Alaska dropped one spot, to number five on their list of best locales for mining investment as the financial uncertainty of a new administration offsets the great geology (good rocks!) we have always had. How the Biden administration intends to apply its green agenda without considering the national dependency on rare earth minerals from China remains to be seen. We hope our Legislature, still convened in Juneau past its 90 day statutory deadline and rapidly approaching the 120 day constitutional deadline, is paying attention as it contemplates state policy. The current environment has precluded progress on key issues like ballot measure reform and Tier 3 waters designation process. It is typical for us to think, “well, there’s still another year left in this Legislature!” There will continue to be many conversations to enforce the policies that can help Alaska advance in the Fraser rankings. Our committees are working very hard to stay abreast of regulations and changes that may impact mining. In addition to the State Oversight committee meeting regularly to track legislative and regulatory proposals, our Federal Oversight Committee is tackling major policy orders from Department of the Interior, EPA, and more; as well as developing robust comments on the Central Yukon land management plan. Our Convention Committee is working hard to bring you an Annual Convention with virtual tie-ins for those who cannot attend in person, and to ensure the event can be done safely and in accordance with health guidelines. We appreciate
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Bill Jeffress, President SRK Consulting, Anchorage Bartly Kleven, First Vice President Kinross-Fort Knox, Fairbanks Lorali Simon, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage
Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Lorali Simon, Denali Mark Huffington, Fairbanks
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members.
It is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516.
Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau
We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email story ideas and photos to Lee Leschper. Advertising Rates and New Tips For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, call or email Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
Houston Morris, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
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Hecla’s Greens Creek Mine Maintains 10 Million-Ounce Silver Pace
Photo Courtesy Hecla Mining Company Hecla’s four mines — Greens Creek, Lucky Friday in Idaho, Casa Berardi in Quebec and Nevada Operations — produced 3.5 million ounces of silver and 52,004 ounces of gold during the first quarter of this year.
Hecla Mining Company April 8 reported that its Greens Creek Mine produced 2.6 million ounces of silver and 13,266 ounces of gold during the first three months of 2021. The Southeast Alaska mine’s first quarter silver output is down about 7% from the 2.8 million oz produced during the same period last year. The quarterly gold production, however, increased by about 8% over the 12,273 ounces produced during the first three months of 2020. Hecla says ore grades, lower for silver and higher for gold, was the primary reason for the metal production changes from last year. The Greens Creek mill operated at an average of 2,156 tons per day during the first quarter of this year, down only about 1% from the 2,185 tpd during the first quarter of 2020. Hecla’s four mines — Greens Creek, Lucky Friday in Idaho, Casa Berardi in Quebec and Nevada Operations — produced 3.5 million ounces of silver and 52,004 ounces of gold during the first quarter of this year. The silver production is a roughly 7% increase over the total produced during the same period last year, while gold production dropped 12%. The company said the increased silver output is due to increasing production at the restarted Lucky Friday Mine and the drop in gold output is due to reduction in less profitable production of the precious metal. Increased activity at Lucky Friday also contributed to significant increases in Hecla’s zinc and lead production.
During the first quarter, the company produced 16,107 tons of zinc, up 25% over the 12,847 tons produced during the first three months of 2020, and 10,703 tons of lead, an 82% jump over the 5,893 tons produced last year. Greens Creek also produces zinc and lead as byproduct metals, but Hecla does not break down the production of these base metals by operation. Hecla ended the first quarter with roughly $135 million in cash and cash equivalents and now draws on its revolving line of credit. “Greens Creek, Lucky Friday and Casa Berardi all had strong operating performance which combined with current silver prices enabled us to close the quarter with more than $135 million in cash,” said Hecla Mining President and CEO Phillips Baker, Jr. “This is our fourth consecutive quarter of increasing cash balances, all attributable to free cash flow generation.” Baker recently delivered a keynote address – Silver: The Technometal – New Demand, New Policy, New Future – at the Extractive Industry Investment Options Conference. Coverage of this presentation on the evolution and near-term future of silver demand can be read at A brief evolutionary history of silver in the April 7 edition of Metal Tech News. Read more here: www.metaltechnews.com/story/2021/04/07/tech- metals/a-brief-evolutionary-history-of-silver/517.html. — Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News
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Kinross Gold to Develop Gil-Sourdough Deposit
Photo Courtesy Kinross Gold Corp.
Gil-Sourdough, a satellite gold deposit about 8 miles east of the Kinross Alaska mill.
In preparation for this Fort Knox Alaska strategy, which involves seeking higher-grade ore from projects within a roughly 300-mile radius of Fort Knox, Kinross invested heavily in dewatering the current tailings storage facility and gained permits to begin stacking tailings in the pit that has been providing ore to the mill and heap leach pads at Fort Knox for the past 25 years. This greatly expands the room to store tailings from milling higher-grade ores, a limitation that contributed to previous plans to wind down mill operations this year. Looking for ore to feed the excess mill and tailings capacity, Kinross has decided to mine Gil-Sourdough, which hosts 29.5 million metric tons of indicated resource averaging 0.56 grams per metric ton (533,000 ounces) gold. The company, however, does not currently plan to mine the entire resource. Instead, the Gil-Sourdough development plan is expected to start with mining roughly 10 million metric tons of the resource from smaller pits at an average mined grade of 0.60 g/t gold or roughly 193,000 oz of gold. At current mill recovery rates of around 83%, Gil-Sourdough is expected to contribute roughly 160,000 oz of gold to Fort Knox production over a span of about two years. With Gil-Sourdough located on the property and an existing road connecting the deposits to the mill, this ore can quickly be delivered into the Fort Knox Alaska
Kinross Gold Corp. has found another source of higher- grade ore to feed the mill at Fort Knox, this time within the bounds of the company’s own property about 20 miles north of Fairbanks, Alaska. On April 9, the company announced that it has officially decided to develop Gil-Sourdough, a satellite gold deposit about 8 miles east of the Kinross Alaska mill. Gil-Sourdough is not a new discovery for Kinross, the company has been involved in its exploration for decades and bought full ownership of the project on the eastern edge of the Fort Knox property in 2011. “This is a very exciting announcement for us to make, Fort Knox employees both current and past have worked on this project for a great long time,” Kinross Alaska Eternal Affairs Manager Anna Atchison told Mining News. These satellite deposits, however, did not fit into the mine plan until the recent Kinross Alaska strategy that leverages the underutilized 14-million-metric-ton-per- year mill at the Interior Alaska gold mine. “While the Gil deposit has been part of the company resource portfolio for many years, it is only with the recent paradigm shift to leverage the Fort Knox mill and today’s continued strong gold price environment that the company sees a timely opportunity for development,” Atchison said.
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Source of Higher-Grade Ore to Feed Mill at Fort Knox
Inc. Prior to agreeing to acquire a stake in Manh Choh, Kinross met with the people of Tetlin and members of the village council, the underlying landowners of 675,000 acres of land that make up the project. As a result, Tetlin Village continues to indicate support for the project plan based on transparent, strong partnerships that focus on trust and mutual respect. “We look forward to the safe and responsible development of the project and the positive benefits it is expected to generate for our community,” said Chief Sam. “We also look forward to further building a relationship with Kinross, a company with a strong track record in Alaska.” Kinross anticipates the first ore from Manh Choh to Fort Knox in 2024, or about the time the last of the Gil- Sourdough ore is processed through the Kinross Alaska mill. The Fort Knox mine has a 27-year history of responsible mining in Alaska, including supporting local communities, strong environmental stewardship continued on Page 8
strategy. Kinross has already applied for permits for mining the satellite deposits, basically a quarry operation that will deliver ore to the already permitted milling operation. This means that the first Gil-Sourdough ore could be delivered to the Fort Knox mill by the end of next year. In addition to providing feedstock for the mill, this mining will add new jobs at Fort Knox. While the current crews at Fort Knox continue to mine the Gilmore expansion and stack ore on the newly constructed Barnes Creek Heap Leach Facility, contractors will carry out the mining at Gil-Sourdough. The current mine plan for Gil-Sourdough dovetails nicely with Manh Choh (formerly Peak Gold), another facet of the Kinross Alaska strategy. Located about 200 miles southeast of Fort Knox, Manh Choh hosts 9.2 million metric tons of measured and indicated resources averaging 4.08 grams per metric ton (1.21 million ounces) gold and 14.19 g/t (4.2 million oz) silver in two adjacent deposits on the project. With the idea of processing high-grade ore from Manh Choh in the mill at Fort Knox, Kinross paid $93.7 million to buy a 70% interest in this project from Contango ORE
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Fort Knox Remains Committed to Alaska Communities
continued from Page 7
and providing economic benefits to the state. Its performance in developing Gilmore, which included transparent community consultations, is an example of that commitment, and that same standard applies to its Gil-Sourdough satellite pits, the Manh Choh project, and all future developments. Among notable developments: n Fort Knox contributed approximately $300 million to Alaska’s economy in 2019 through procurement, taxes, wages, community programs and donations, providing meaningful livelihoods for employees, opportunities for local suppliers, and support to approximately 90 Alaska nonprofits. n The commitment to environmental stewardship is exemplified by Fort Knox’s partnership with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in managing a major environment restoration project in the Fish Creek valley, and its recent reclamation of the True North deposit in 2015, with the land returned back to Alaska for future public use in 2020. They have also recently announced the Abandoned Mine Restoration Initiative — a partnership with Trout Unlimited. n The Gil is a small project that they have been studying
since the early 2000s and actively exploring on since 1982. While the Gil deposit has been part of the company resource portfolio for many years, it is only with the recent paradigm shift to leverage the Fort Knox mill and today’s continued strong gold price environment that the Company sees a timely opportunity for development. n Permitting is underway, and the company anticipates first ore to reach the Fort Knox mill in Q4 2021. As has always been the case, they remain committed to responsible mining and transparent community communications, and will apply the same high standards to this development as they have to other developments in the past. n The small satellite project, which does not use the public highway system, is expected to bring substantial contractor employment opportunities to the region for two years, increase in taxes paid to the State. n The project will not use the highway for haulage between Fort Knox and Gil-Sourdough, as it is on mine roads — Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News
“We protect the environment because this is the land where we grew up.” – Evan Polty Jr. Lead Mechanic, Donlin Gold Born in Pilot Station and Resident of Russian Mission
Respectful development for all generations.
To learn more, visit us at donlingold.com
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Northern Lights Make for An Incredible Camping Backdrop
First days in the field coincide with the last great nights of the aurora. Our own Ted Hawley captured this dramatic photo of his camper under the lights April 23 at 12:48 a.m. from the East Fork Chulitna River Wayside at about MP 185 on the Parks Highway. We love to see and share your photos from the field. Email to Lee.Leschper@ FireweedStrategies.com and Jennifer@AlaskaMiners.com. Photo Courtesy Ted Hawley
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Mining News Roundup: A Busy Summer Ahead
DGGS annual report highlights Alaska mineral strengths The annual Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys Annual Report for 2020 has been released. The 47-page report consolidates the agency’s work in the past survey to update critical and other mineral resources in Alaska, provide key expertise to assess natural disasters from landslides to volcanoes and in general continue to assess the much of Alaska that is still uncharted. Detailed mapping exists today for only about 20% of the state. DGGS provides geological information to help industry discover and develop Alaska’s energy and mineral resources, as well as providing information on geological hazards, general geology, construction materials and groundwater resources. The 36-member staff worked statewide despite COVID-19 restrictions to provide this report. The report is available online at https://dggs.alaska.gov. Murkowski introduces bill to speed mine permitting On April 23, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) introduced the bipartisan S.1352 to improve the quality and timeliness of the federal permitting process for domestic mining projects. Manchin’s bipartisan American Mineral Security Act not included in the end-of-year Consolidated Appropriations Act (Public Law 116–260), the legislation would modernize our nation’s minerals permitting system by requiring coordination among agencies and other best practices to reduce duplication and unnecessary delays. It also uses the updated and broadened definition of a critical mineral from the Consolidated Appropriations Act to include critical minerals recovered as byproducts as well as their host minerals. Current cosponsors are Senators James Lankford (R-Okla.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Consisting of the NMA-backed permitting provisions from Senators Murkowski and
Kevin Cramer (R-N.Dak.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W. Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho).
Donlin continues gathering shareholder insights
The proposed Donlin Gold mine’s technical oversight group is seeking direct input from communities in proximity to the project and its transportation corridor in the Y-K Region. The Donlin Advisory Technical Review and Oversight Committee (DATROC) is launching a Subsistence Community Advisory Committee (SCAC), one of a series of committees that will provide perspective and local knowledge on issues specific to the project. “Community residents, who are largely our Shareholders, can have an important voice and presence in the development of this project and its future operations. By serving on a committee, our people have direct input on the project and a direct line of communication to its oversight group,” said Andrew Guy, President and CEO of Calista Corporation The DATROC is a committee of Donlin Gold LLC, Calista Corporation and The Kuskokwim Corporation representatives who monitor and provide oversight to the Donlin Gold project. The committee discusses environmental protections, cultural resources, subsistence uses, reclamation and potential impacts on communities. “Community residents, who are largely our Shareholders, can have an important voice and presence in the development of this project and its future operations. By serving on a committee, our people have direct input on the project and a direct line of communication to its oversight group.” Alaska Native Corporation Shareholders made up
80% of the Donlin Gold field crew in 2020. More information is available online at calistacorp.com.
Energy in plain sight Our Lorali Simon, vice president of external affairs for Usibelli Coal Mine, did a super presentation
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AMA Fall Convention Planned for In-Person Event in Anchorage
“Hidden in Plain Sight: Alaska’s Affordable Energy,” for the Alaska Resource Development Council April 1. Lorali did a great job reminding us that coal remains the most affordable and accessible energy source for Alaska military, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and many interior communities. The presentation is available online at the RDC website AkRDC.org and on vimeo at vimeo.com/531897075. AMA fall convention planned for traditional event The AMA annual convention committee is working full steam toward a traditional in- person convention this fall, Oct. 31-Nov. 6 in Anchorage. Events will take place at the downtown Marriott Hotel and the Dena’ina Center. We are following state and city mandates and taking extra safety precautions as we plan the Convention. Our annual convention is always the largest mining event in Alaska each year, bringing up to 1,500 miners, support companies, educators, and government leaders together to network, plan and share what is ahead for mining in our state. Given COVID- 19-related safety restrictions the 2020 event was held virtually and still drew hundreds of participants and rave reviews. The committee is planning to continue and adapt what we learned from a powerful all-virtual convention in fall 2020 and there will remain a virtual component to
being planned. Sponsor and vendor opportunities will be available soon. Watch for updates about the convention throughout this year at AlaskaMiners.org .
the 2021 convention. The week is currently slated to begin with short courses, followed by a single-track of technical sessions, a trade show and social events. The core shack, prospectors tent, claim post and poster session are also
Poised to be one of the largest, highest-grade, most prospective open-pit gold deposits in the world, Donlin Gold will be developed responsibly – through a safe and healthy workplace, stewardship of the environment, and the preservation of traditional cultures.
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Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2020
index, which rates regions based on their geologic attractiveness, and the Policy Perception Index, a composite index that measures the effects of government policy on attitudes toward exploration investment. While it is useful to measure the attractiveness of a jurisdiction based on policy factors such as onerous regulations, taxation levels, the quality of infrastructure, and the other policy related questions that respondents answered, the Policy Perception Index alone does not recognize the fact that investment decisions are often sizably based on the pure mineral potential of a jurisdiction. Indeed, as discussed below, respondents consistently indicate that approximately 40% of their investment decision is determined by policy factors. The top The top jurisdiction in the world for investment based on the Investment Attractiveness Index is Nevada, which moved up from third place in 2019. Arizona, which ranked ninth in 2019, moved into second place this year. Saskatchewan climbed eight spots from 11th in 2019 to third in 2020. Western Australia ranked fourth this year after topping the ranking last year, and Alaska dropped a spot from fourth in 2019 to fifth in 2020. Rounding out
EDITOR’S NOTE: This report is provided courtesy of the Fraser Institute This report presents the results of the Fraser Institute’s 2020 annual survey of mining and exploration companies. The survey is an attempt to assess how mineral endowments and public policy factors such as taxation and regulatory uncertainty affect exploration investment. The survey was circulated to approximately 2,200 individuals. Survey responses were tallied to rank provinces, states and countries according to the extent that public policy factors encourage or discourage mining investment. We received a total of 276 responses for the survey, providing sufficient data to evaluate 77 jurisdictions. By way of comparison, 76 jurisdictions were evaluated in 2019, 83 in 2018, 91 in 2017, and 104 in 2016. The number of jurisdictions that can be included in the study tends to wax and wane as the mining sector grows or shrinks due to commodity prices and sectoral factors. The Investment Attractiveness Index takes mineral and policy perception into consideration An overall Investment Attractiveness Index is constructed by combining the Best Practices Mineral Potential
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Alaska Remains in Top Five Areas for Investment Attractiveness
David S. Manzer, Landman dmanzer@aklandstatus.com Tel: (907) 563-8882 5381 Tudortop Circle Anchorage, AK 99507-1631 Alaska Land Status, Inc. • Due Diligence Mineral Title Examination • Land Status Research • Land and Claim Management Expertise Perception Index, is a composite index that measures the overall policy attractiveness of the 77 jurisdictions in the survey. The index is composed of survey responses to policy factors that affect investment decisions. Policy factors examined include uncertainty concerning the administration of current regulations, environmental the top 10 are Quebec, South Australia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Idaho and Finland. The bottom When considering both policy and mineral potential in the Investment Attractiveness Index, Venezuela ranks as the least attractive jurisdiction in the world for investment followed by Argentina: Chubut, and Tanzania. Also, in the bottom 10 (beginning with the worst) are Indonesia, Argentina: La Rioja, Bolivia, Argentina: Mendoza, Zimbabwe, Spain and Michigan. Policy Perception Index: A “report card” to governments on the attractiveness of their mining policies While geologic and economic considerations are important factors in mineral exploration, a region’s policy climate is also an important investment consideration. The Policy
regulations, regulatory duplication, the legal system and taxation regime, uncertainty concerning protected areas and disputed land claims, infrastructure, socioeconomic and community development conditions, trade barriers, political stability, labor regulations, quality of the geological database, security and labor and skills availability. The top Idaho displaced Finland from the top spot this year with the highest PPI score of 100. Idaho was followed by Wyoming in the second place, which moved from 16th in the previous year. Along with Idaho and Wyoming the top 10 ranked jurisdictions are Finland, the Republic of Ireland, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan and New Mexico. The bottom The 10 least attractive jurisdictions for investment based on the PPI rankings (starting with the worst) are Venezuela, Argentina: Chubut, Zimbabwe, Bolivia, Argentina: Mendoza, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Indonesia and Argentina: La Rioja. — Jairo Yunis, Junior Policy Analyst, and Elmira Aliakbari, Associate Director
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In Memoriam: Evgeny G. Sidorov, 1955-2021
Noted Russian platinum expert and longtime friend to Alaska Evgeny G. (Eugene) Sidorov passed away March 20, 2021 in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky after a long battle with heart disease, complicated by pneumonia. He was 65. Sidorov was born April 26, 1955, in the Village of Kichui, Tartarstan Republic, Soviet Union, about 700 miles east of Moscow. In 1978, he graduated from Tomsk State University with a degree of Master in Geological Mapping and Prospecting for Mineral Deposits. In 1978, Sidorov began his professional career in the Central Geochemical Expedition of Kamchatka. From 1980 to his death, he dedicated his career toward the understanding of the metallogensis of platinum group metals associated with mafic-ultramafic rocks. In 1988, he defended his Masters thesis completed at the Institute of Geology and Geophysics at Novosibirsk: Alpine Ultramafics of the Eastern Kamchatka Region— Geology, Petrology and Mineralogy. In 2009, he defended his Doctoral dissertation at the Far East Geological Institute in Vladivostok: Platinum in Mafic- Ultramafic Complexes of the Koryak-Kamchatka Region, Russian Federation.
In the late 1980s, Eugene became a member of a special research group within the Soviet Academy of Sciences that systematically explored numerous platinum-bearing prospects throughout the Kamchatka Peninsula area. The direct result of this work was the discovery of the Koryak- Kamchatka mineral belt;
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Sidorov Introduced to Alaska Mining Community by AMA
Tom Bundtzen, Donald Grybeck, and Warren Nokleberg. The group examined several platinum-bearing Ural- Alaska type, zoned mafic ultramafic igneous complexes. AMA invited Sidorov and 11 other Soviet scientists to attend and present papers at the 1990 Annual Convention in Anchorage, which hosted the symposium “The Geology and Metallogeny of the Soviet Far East, Alaska, and Canada”. Papers generated by Russian colleagues were later published in a Special Symposium Volume released by the AMA in 1995. In 1996, Sidorov and members of the Koryak Geology Mining Company (KGD), which mined placer platinum in Kamchatka at a large scale, were invited by Alaskan geologists and the Calista Native Corporation, which included Jeff Foley, June McAtee, Tom Bundtzen, and Toni Hinderman, to tour the Goodnews Bay platinum district and several other platinum-bearing districts in Alaska and Yukon Territory. The newly recognized platinum district in Kamchatka exhibits remarkable geomorphological similarities to Alaska’s Goodnews Bay district. In 1997, Sidorov helped organize a reciprocal visit for Calista Corporation to inspect the platinum mining activities in the Galmeonan district of Kamchatka.
During 2000 and 2001, Sidorov again returned to Alaska to prospect for platinum as consultant for Denver- based North Star Exploration, Inc (NSEI). Later in 2001, Eugene organized a grassroots examination for NSEI of newly discovered PGE-Ni-Co-Cu deposits related to Tertiary mafic-ultramafic intrusions in southwest Kamchatka. Samples of mineralization were collected and subsequently dated at the University of Alaska geochronology laboratory in Fairbanks. One of the PGE-Ni-Co-Cu deposits, Shanuch, has since become a producing mine. In 2005, Sidorov and Larissa Karpova helped organize an AMA trip to Kamchatka where platinum and gold mining projects, geothermal power developments, and other resource industries were viewed. Of note was a demonstration by KGD of the successful use of acoustical technology to remove clay-sized particles in mine process water, which holds promise for mitigating water quality issues elsewhere. It should be noted that in 2006, the Kamchatka Miners Association was formed, in part recognizing AMA as a highly successful organization that effectively represented regional mining interests in Alaska.
BO NU IEL DO IUNNGC AE LAATS AK AT I M E CONAM’s track record of succesful projects has proven that resource development can be done responsibly while protecting Alaska’s fragile environment. Our firm understanding of Alaska’s unique challenges and commitment to HSSE and planning have translated into satisfied mining clients across the state. We get dirty so you get the pay dirt.
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Implantable Gold Sensor Can Help Monitor Vital Values, Drug Effectiveness
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed an implantable sensor based on color-stable gold nanoparticles. The sensor can be operated in the body for several months. Embedded into an artificial polymeric tissue, the nanogold is implanted under the skin and it changes its color to report information on vital values and concentrations of substances or drugs. Up until now, implantable sensors
have not been suitable to remain in the body permanently because either the body rejects them or because the sensor’s color is unstable and fades over time. The sensor changes color and reveals concentration changes of nanoparticles, the team at JGU achieved a more stable device. In a study published in the journal Nano Letters, the researchers explain that gold nanoparticles substances in the body However, by using gold
act like small antennas for light: They strongly absorb and scatter it and, therefore, appear colorful. They react to alterations in their surrounding by changing color. The nanoparticles are embedded in a porous hydrogel with a tissue-like consistency. Once implanted under the skin, small blood vessels and cells grow into the pores. The sensor is then integrated into the tissue and is not rejected as a foreign body. “Our sensor is like an invisible tattoo, not much bigger than a penny and thinner than one millimeter,” Carsten Sönnichsen, co-author of the study, said in a media statement. The gold nanoparticles are infrared so they are not visible to the eye. Yet, a special kind of measurement device can detect their color non- invasively through the skin. To test their invention, the group implanted their gold nanoparticle sensors under the skin of hairless rats. Color changes in these sensors were monitored following the administration of various doses of an antibiotic. As drug molecules got into the sensor via the bloodstream, they bound to specific receptors on the surface of the gold nanoparticles and induced color change that is dependent on drug concentration. Thanks to the color-stable gold nanoparticles and the tissue- integrating hydrogel, the sensor was found to remain mechanically and optically stable over several months. “We are used to colored objects bleaching over time. Gold nanoparticles, however, do not bleach but keep their color permanently. As they can be easily coated with various different receptors, they are an ideal platform for implantable sensors,” Katharina Kaefer, first author of the paper, said. — Valentina Ruiz Leotaud, Mining.com
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Sherry Shimek Passes Away at 71
Bobcat of Juneau ’s Mine Tractors are ready to work when they hit the ground. They have all the necessary modifications and improvements already completed. New from Bobcat of Juneau! –Easily removable basket and fenders – 40-58 HP
Sherry Lynn Shimek, who worked for many years at AES in Land Management, passed away Feb. 20, 2021, at Hospice of Spokane. Shimek was born Dec. 2, 1949, in Tucson, Arizona, to Frank and Margaret Shimek.
Residing in both Moses Lake and Spokane, she graduated from Central Valley High School in 1967. She worked in Seattle, Washington, and Anchorage, Alaska, as an executive administrative assistant. While working in Anchorage, she assisted the state’s leading geologist
– Support from a great local company – Parts can be Goldstreaked same day = less downtime
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with publishing a book regarding the history of the Kennecott Copper Mine. Sherry was a garden enthusiast and was proud of her many roses.
Bobcat of Juneau 5450 Glacier Hwy Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 523-7920 www.Bobcatofjuneau.com
of Juneau The only authorized tractor dealer in the state of Alaska!
Our flexibility and dedication have enabled us to become a top provider for the heavy civil construction and resource development industries. MOVING THE EARTH She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Barbara. She is survived by her husband, Jan Johnsen, and her brothers, Frank and John. Arrangements are in the care of Cheney Funeral Chapel.
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Corporate Members
Please support and thank these companies who have renewed their support and corporate membership in AMA. Their continued support makes possible all the work we do in and for the mining industry! A & D Drilling ACZ Laboratories Inc. Advanced Supply Chain International LLC AECOM Ahtna Inc. AIDEA Alaska Aggregate Products LLC Alaska Airlines Alaska Business Coeur Alaska - Kensington Mine Colaska Colorado Mining Association Columbia River Carbonates Commonwealth North, Inc. CONAM Construction Company ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. Holland America Line - Princess Cruises Hyak Mining Company Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association Industrial Pumps of Alaska
Redpath USA Corporation Remote Made Easy (PSSA) Remote Site Services Inc. Resolution Minerals Ltd Resource Development Council Rotak Helicopter Services Roughstock Mining Services LLC Royal Gold Inc. Ruen Drilling Inc. Ryan Air Inc. Samson Tug & Barge Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology Satellite Technical Service Sealaska Corporation Shoreside Petroleum Inc. Society For Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Soloy Helicopters LLC Sophie Station Suites - Fountainhead Hotels Sound Quarry Inc. Sourdough Fuel/Petro Star Inc. Southeast Conference SRK Consulting Stantec Consulting Inc. Stoel Rives LLP Sumitomo Metal Mining America Sundance Mining Group Swick Drilling North America T & J Enterprises Inc. Taiga Mining Company Inc. TDX Corporation Teck Alaska Inc. - Red Dog Tectonic Metals Inc. Temsco Helicopters Inc. The Alaska Support Industry Alliance The Silver Institute TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc. Tower Hill Mines Inc. - Livengood Project Trilogy Metals, Inc. Tyler Rental Inc. U.S. Ecology Ucore Rare Metals Inc. University Redi-Mix Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Utah Mining Association Visit Anchorage Weir Minerals Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company Western Pacific Crane & Equipment
Institute of Northern Engineering International Directional Services Ipop LLC Juneau Economic Development Council Just Refiners USA, Inc. Kinross - Fort Knox Klondike Placer Miners’ Association Knight Piesold & Company Lignite Energy Council Lupine Enterprises Lynden Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Mascott Equipment Company McKinley Research Group Metco Alaska LLC MFCP/Jackovich Millrock Resources Inc. Montana Mining Association Motion Industries, Inc. NANA National Mining Association Nevada Mining Association New Mexico Mining Association North Coast Electric North Star Terminal & Stevedore Co. LLC Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Anchorage) Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Palmer) Northern Star (Pogo) LLC Northrim Bank Northspan Drilling Ltd. Northwest Mine Supply Northwest Pump Northwest Territories & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Nova Minerals Limited NovaGold Resources Inc. Orica USA Inc. Oxford Assaying & Refining Pathfinder Aviation, LLC PDC Engineers/RESPEC Pebble Limited Partnership Perkins Coie LLP Petro Marine Services PND Engineers Inc. PolarX Limited Property Rights Foundation of America, Inc. Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Quality Auto Parts RAM Enterprise, Inc.
Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. Construction Machinery Industrial LLC Consumer Energy Alliance Contango ORE, Inc. Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Craig Taylor Equipment Company Crowley Fuels LLC
Alaska Coastal Aggregates LLC Alaska Commercial Fishing & Agricultural Bank Alaska Forest Association Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. Alaska Industrial Hardware Alaska Policy Forum Alaska Power & Telephone Company Alaska Railroad Corporation Alaska Resource Education Alaska Rock Products Association Alaska Roteq Alaska State Chamber of Commerce Alaska Trucking Association Ambler Metals LLC American Exploration & Mining Association American Land Rights Association Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Anchorage Sand & Gravel Inc. Arctic Pipe and Utilities Arcticom LLC, a BSNC Company Arizona Mining Association Aspen Hotels of Alaska Associated General Contractors of Alaska Association for Mineral Exploration British Columbia Aurora Geosciences (Alaska) Ltd. Automatic Welding & Supply Avidian Gold Corporation AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center BDO USA, LLP Beacon Occupational Health and Bobcat of Juneau Boyer Towing Inc. Brenntag Pacific Brice Inc. Builders Choice Modular, LLC C & R Pipe and Steel Inc. CalCIMA Calista Corporation Carlile Chamber of Mines of Eastern British Columbia Chugach Alaska Corporation City of Ketchikan Coastal Helicopters Safety Services, Inc. Big Ray’s Alaska Inc.
Cryopeak LNG Solutions Cummins Sales & Service Dawson City Chamber of Commerce
Delta Industrial Services Inc. Denali Industrial Supply Inc. DGI Geoscience US Donlin Gold LLC Dorsey & Whitney LLP DOWL Dowland-Bach Corp Doyon, Limited DXP Alaska Pump & Supply Eastern Oregon Mining Association Ecological Land Services Inc. Energy Laboratories Inc. Equipment Source, Inc. ERM Alaska ESS Support Services Everts Air Cargo F.R. Bell & Associates, Inc. Fairweather LLC First Bank First Things First Alaska Foundation Frontier Supply Company GCI Business General Refining Corporation Geotemps Inc. Global Equipment Services Gold Buyers of Alaska -dba:GBA Assaying & Refining Granite Construction Company Graphite One Inc. Graymont Great Northwest Inc. Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Ground Truth Americas Inc. Hagglunds Products and Solutions, a Bosch Company Haines Development, Inc. HDR
White Rock Minerals Ltd. Wolseley Industrial Group Women’s Mining Coalition World Trade Center Alaska Wyoming Mining Association Yukon Chamber of Mines Zonge International Inc.
Heatherdale Resources Ltd Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company HighGold Mining Ltd
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New and Renewing Members
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association in February. You make AMA possible! Corporations Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. Ambler Metals LLC Aurora Geosciences (Alaska) Ltd. C & R Pipe and Steel Inc. Chugach Alaska Corporation Coastal Helicopters Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) Craig Taylor Equipment Company DOWL DXP Alaska Pump & Supply North Coast Electric Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training, LLC (Palmer) Northern Star (Pogo) LLC Northrim Bank NovaGold Resources Inc. Roughstock Mining Services LLC Ruen Drilling Inc. Miles Macdonald E Neil & Charity MacKinnon Todd MacManus Wendie MacNaughton Jaenell Manchester Terry Mcintosh Mac Meiners Lance Miller John W Miscovich Nick Morgan
Individual Kim Aasand CPA Carmen Arbizo Zach Baer Thomas Beckman Mike Bell Chip Brown David Butherus Brian Butterworth Karen Carey Laura Carmack Jonathan Carpenter Larry Carr Dave Casey Rick Circle Alec Creighton Joey Crum Carolyn A Curley
Satellite Technical Service Shoreside Petroleum Inc. Sophie Station Suites - Fountainhead Hotels Teck Alaska Inc. - Red Dog Tyler Rental Inc.
Jud Napier Kyle Negri
Equipment Source, Inc. ESS Support Services First Bank Frontier Supply Company Gold Buyers of Alaska -dba:GBA Assaying & Refining HDR Hyak Mining Company Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. IBEW Local 1547 Just Refiners USA, Inc. Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. McKinley Research Group Metco Alaska LLC Motion Industries, Inc. NANA
David Ottewell Randy Painter Jennifer Payne Cole Petersen Ryan Peterson David Phillips Jerry Pilgrim Dave Reaves Matthew Reece Elizabeth Riffey Ron Rimelman Lance Roberts Jim Robinson Ryan Rostad Arlan Ruen Byron Ruen Rochelle Ruen Joni Scharfenberg Greta Schuerch G. Paul Schuitt Suzanne Settle Dian Siegfried
Professional Ron Alleva Sean & Ashley Conley Robert Emmons Peter Grieve Michael Jungreis
Steve Cutler Chris Devine
Rebecca Donald Jon W Dufendach Bridget Eckhardt
Gene Pavia Gary Peters Thor Stacey
Mischa Ellanna John Ellsworth Leslie Friedlob & Colby Engstrom Ramzi Fawaz Nick Ferree Brian Flanigan Rebecca Gower Don & Carolyn Gray
Jasper Hall Wayne Hall Ross Harrington
Arctic engineering and environmental services.
Raesha Hartz Chuck Heath David & Carolyn Hedderly-Smith Melanie Hennessey
Mark Smith Todd Smith Lee & Melinda St Pierre Johncharles Stang Mary P Stech Michele Stevens Tim Sullivan
Brian Houglum Pelham Jackson David Jacobs Al Johnson Jonathan Jurco Keith & Bonnie Kaiser Steve Kikendall Eric E Kile Russell Kirkham Janet Klatt Jason Knoles Tammy Kosa Ray & Lee Ann Kreig Greg Lang Christine Lawley Richard J Lenz PHD
Laurie Swartz Jules Tileston Norman Tweet Terry Umatum Bill Vivlamore Janice Walker Walter D Wells David Whitmire Harold Whittlesy Dennis M Wilfer Karen Wilken
We help mines thrive.
Richard Williams Michael Wilson Susan Wilson Adam & Michelle Zenger
Chester Lide Donna Logan James G & Lorna Lounsbury
Victor Ross (907) 352-7809
victor.ross@stantec.com Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 450-1425 steve.reidsma@stantec.com
Not yet a member of the Alaska Miners Association? Or have not yet renewed your membership for 2021? Renew today so you don’t miss a single issue of The Alaska Miner or this year’s 2021 Alaska Miners Handbook and Service Directory, available only to AMA members. Call or email Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director 907-270-9232. jennifer@AlaskaMiners.org.
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