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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May 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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