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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Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
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May 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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