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.
June 2021 Volume 49, Number 6
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
The Biden Administration continues its aim to restrict development of natural resources in Alaska, including in the Tongass National Forest. Read more on Page 5.
Biden Pushes Roadless Rule
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A Message from the Executive Director
Biden Moves to Reinstate Roadless Rule
Dear Members, I expect as you are reading this you are in the field and hard at work in our first almost-normal mining season since the pandemic hit. It is really good to just get back to work! And there is much work ahead. We have a challenging year, or years, before us. It has become clear now that the current administration in Washington D.C. is determined to undo many of the previous rule changes that benefitted the mining industry in Alaska.
political and legislative roadblocks and opponents with the same clear focus on the end result, rather than the interim hardships. It would be very easy to get frustrated with this “here we go again” situation. But that is another of our strengths — our ability to smile or even laugh in the face of adversity. Enough with the challenges! Here is some good news. As Alaska continues to reopen and we have more opportunity to meet and greet, we also have
more opportunities like our state fairs and other celebrations to put the best face of mining forward and reach Alaskans who do not know much about our industry. Please join us at these events, please volunteer wherever possible and please continue to speak up for industry. We also expect to be able to return to our traditional in-person annual convention in November 2021. Our committee has been hard at work already for several months creating an incredible program for this year’s event, celebrating 50 years of ANCSA, and the successes of our industry. I cannot tell you how much I look forward to seeing each of you again in person. Thank you is something I can never say often enough, for the financial, personal and emotional support you provide each other and our association as we move forward together. Until we meet next, we will be out there working on your behalf every day!
The hits keep coming. Changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Rule (we’re back to looking at WOTUS). Changes to the Endangered Species Act, significant new management changes to wetlands policies. And, the recent announcement that the Biden Administration will work to roll back our hard- earned Roadless Rule exemption in Southeast Alaska. These are all just the latest in a series of attacks to restrict not just mining but all resource development in Alaska, and by extension our ability to protect our families and our way of life. More than ever, it is critical that we in the industry work together and proactively to face this and other future challenges sure to come. And it’s critical that we stay positive! We’ve been here before. Our greatest strength for most of a century has been each other, our teamwork and determination to do what’s right for the state of Alaska and those of us who work here. It is easy to forget where we were a year ago. We were successful working through the challenges of the pandemic and proved once again that Alaska mining is essential. We need to approach these new
Photo Courtesy Hecla Mining Company
The Biden Administration has continued its aim to restrict development of natural resources in Alaska.
The latest of a series of moves to reinstate limitations on Alaska mining came this month when the Biden Administration said in early June that it would “repeal or replace” a rule allowing roads and other types of development in more than half of Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Former President Donald Trump removed the roadless rule that had been in effect for 20 years. The White House has said this is consistent with the goals outlined in the president’s Jan. 27 executive order, “Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis.” After recent moves to suspend drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, this move to restrict access in much of the Southeast’s Tongass Forest continues the administration’s anti-development moves, in keeping with past Democratic administrations going back to Jimmy Carter. In April, it postponed the effective date of public lands orders allowing mining on 11 million acres in Alaska for two years. Before leaving office in 2001, Bill Clinton finalized the so- called “roadless rule,” which barred road construction in 58.5 million acres of national forest. George W. Bush held a handful of timber sales in the Tongass before a
federal judge reinstated the Clinton rule. Environmentalists have argued that roadless protections are essential to protect the Tongass, which ranks as one of the world’s largest intact temperate rainforests. The forest was heavily logged in the 1960s and 1970s. Trout Unlimited and other tourism groups have advocated that there is no place for mining or timber in the Tongass. Alaska’s elected leaders have argued that the limits on roadbuilding impede not only logging but other industrial activities, including mining, that would bolster a region that has been battered by the pandemic. In a petition to the Agriculture Department during the Trump administration, the state wrote that the roadless rule and subsequent 2016 management plan “each independently restrict road construction and timber harvest to such a degree as to have devastating socioeconomic effects on Alaskans.” The Forest Service temporarily halted roadbuilding activities in the Tongass by issuing a memo in February subjecting them to a special review, it will still take months for the new proposal to be finalized. Alaska’s exemption from the roadless rule is now in litigation, so the courts could also intervene in the case. It’s unclear when the new rule may take effect. The Washington Post contributed to this story
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 Jen Wieland, 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.
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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
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Alaska DEC Backs Donlin Water Certificate
Reaffirms Assurance Gold Mine Would Meet Alaska Standards
Alaska’s Department of Environmental Conservation has upheld a certification of reasonable assurance that the proposed Donlin Gold Mine in western Alaska will comply with the state’s water quality standards. Donlin Gold LLC — a joint venture partnership owned equally by Barrick Gold Corp. and Novagold Resources Inc. — applied for the federal permits to develop a mine at the 39-million-ounce Donlin Gold deposit in 2012. Following a six-year permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Bureau of Land Management approved the federal permits needed to develop the mine proposed by Donlin Gold. The project partners, however, still needed to obtain state approvals before development could begin. Part of the Alaska permitting process is the issuance of a certificate of reasonable assurance that the proposed mine approved by federal regulators will comply with the water quality standards, which was issued by DEC in 2018. Bethel, Alaska-based Orutsararmiut Native Council,
by a reasonable basis in law and substantial evidence in the record, I reject the positions advanced by the other parties,” Brune penned in the conclusion of Alaska DEC’s response to Orutsararmiut Native Council’s appeal of the certificate of reasonable assurance. “In this matter, ONC cherry- picked portions of the record describing potential impacts in a highly technical report and characterized them as conclusive. The division consistently and thoroughly rebutted each of ONC’s assertions with analysis of relevant information and data using its subject- matter expertise.” Orutsararmiut Native Council had 30 days to appeal DEC’s May 27 decision
however, challenged this certificate on the grounds that DEC cannot provide reasonable assurance a mine at Donlin will meet water quality standards for temperature, mercury and protection of existing uses. In April, Administrative Law Judge Kent Sullivan from the Alaska Office of Administrative Hearings, who heard the case, concluded DEC had not demonstrated with reasonable certainty that Alaska water quality standards would be met. Judge Sullivan’s decision was sent to the state for review and Alaska DEC Commissioner Jason Brune had 45 days to determine whether to accept the decision, return it to the administrative law judge to consider additional evidence, revise its enforcement action, or reject the finding. In a 50-page response, Brune affirmed the state’s position that there is reasonable assurance that the Donlin permits issued under the federal Clean Water Act would meet Alaska’s standards for water temperature, mercury concentrations, and existing uses. “Because I find the division’s decision is supported
to superior court. — Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News
Photo Courtesy Donlin Gold LLC
On track to develop Alaska’s next gold mine in partnership with Kinross and the Alaska Tetlin Native Tribe
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Construction Machinery Industrial’s Deryl Box Passes Away
All of us at Construction Machinery Industrial, LLC are deeply saddened with the passing of Deryl Box. Deryl has worked for CMI for many years and was very well-known in the Fairbanks community. He was a great person, a team player, a friend and a mentor to many of us here at CMI as well as his customers. Many of Deryl’s friends and customers have reached out offering help. An account was set up at Wells Fargo Bank for those who would like to make a donation to Deryl’s family. Contributions can be made directly to the Wells Fargo account number 6643394155 Account name: Deryl A. Box Benefit Memorial Fund. Another option is to send a check made out to Deryl A. Box Benefit Memorial Fund to c/o CMI, LLC Attention: Shanda Gladden at 5400 Homer Drive, Anchorage AK 99518 and we will handle the deposit. The account will remain open until July 15, at which time it will be closed and proceeds will be distributed to the family. We appreciate everyone’s thoughtfulness and kind words!
— CMI Team
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DGGS Receives Federal Grants for Landslide Hazard Mapping
Haines Landslide Put Focus on Need for Formal Program
Masterman credited Alaska’s congressional delegation and Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s administration for supporting this work. The program will involve a variety of sensing and measuring tools, including LIDAR (light detection and ranging) equipment, geological mapping, and sonar surveys, he said. It will also include installing and using remote sensing equipment to monitor movement of slopes and comparing satellite images to seek and track movement of the land. While DGGS and USGS will pay particular attention to Barry Arm landslide, they will also work to map other areas in Prince William Sound. Additionally, DGGS has received $250,000 in grants from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) to support landslide mapping efforts around select communities in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska, potentially susceptible to landslides. If the program’s tools are space age and high-tech, its benefits are very down to earth, Masterman said: it can save lives and money. “Building a bridge or road only to see it impacted by a landslide that we might have anticipated had we done this kind of mapping is just not a prudent use of resources,” he said. “Preventing this kind of injury and cost is part of our statutory mandate.”
FAIRBANKS — The Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) has received a $2.2 million federal grant to establish a cooperative program with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to assess and map landslide hazards in Prince William Sound’s Barry Arm and other locations. “DGGS has never had a systematic landslide mapping program,” said DGGS Director and State Geologist Steve Masterman. “With this funding and our strong cooperative relationship with USGS, we are hopeful this is the beginning of a long-term collaborative effort to map and understand landslides across our state.” The need to map such hazards came into sharper focus last year, when geologists drew on satellite evidence to see that a large mountainside in the Barry Arm, 28 miles northeast of Whittier, had begun to slide, creating the potential for a tsunami that could threaten coastal communities and boaters in the region. As state and federal efforts to understand the Barry Arm landslide showed the need for a more formal assessment process, a fatal landslide in the Southeast Alaska town of Haines gave further impetus to the need for a more formal program. CLIFFORD A. MORRISON CPG-10332 QES Senior Geologist - Owner Bedrock Cleanup Specialist • Fracture cleanup / Hotspot delineation • Representative stockpile sampling for valuation • Field services coordinated with owner and/or operator • Services provided on sliding scale per site visit
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Graphite One Advances U.S. Supply Vision
Collects Data for Alaska Mine, Battery-Grade Graphite Plant
After raising C$10 million earlier this year, Graphite One Inc. is collecting the final bits of data needed for a prefeasibility study that details the company’s vision to establish a United States supply chain for the coated spherical graphite used as an anode material in the lithium-ion batteries that power electric vehicles and store intermittent renewable energy. The first segment of this supply chain is the world-class Graphite Creek mine project about 35 miles north of Nome, the famed gold mining town in western Alaska. According to the most recent calculation, the Graphite Creek deposit hosts 10.95 million metric tons of measured and indicated resources averaging 7.8% (850,534 metric tons) graphitic carbon; and 91.89 million metric tons of inferred resource averaging 8% (7.34 million metric tons) graphitic carbon. As large as these resources outlined with drilling are, they only represent a small fraction of the thick lenses of graphite surfacing along an 11-mile-long stretch of the Kigluaik Mountains running across the Graphite Creek property. The second and perhaps most important segment of the Graphite One supply chain is a processing facility capable
mine at the Graphite Creek project in Alaska. A program scheduled to begin in July is expected to include 3,000 meters of infill drilling to upgrade a portion of the inferred resource to the higher confidence measured and indicated categories, as well as prepare to elevate these world-class resources to reserves with the completion of the PFS before the end of the year. In preparation for this PFS and a feasibility study to follow, this summer’s field work will also include geotechnical drilling at the proposed open pit mine and supporting infrastructure sites, as well as engineering and environmental baseline studies. “The 2021 drilling program will provide the additional information required to continue advancing the design and engineering for the proposed mine, the flotation process facility, the secondary treatment plant for producing coated spherical graphite and other graphite products, and all associated infrastructure,” said Stan Foo, chief operating officer of Graphite One (Alaska), a subsidiary developing Graphite Creek. “These investigations will allow Graphite One to firm up our understanding of the project as we unlock the full value of this unique large-flake graphite deposit.”
TEMSCO “With the growing demand for graphite in electric vehicle batteries and other energy storage applications — and recent actions by the Biden administration to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals — we see Graphite One’s aim to produce a U.S.-based supply chain solution becoming increasingly significant as a new potential source of advanced graphite products for decades to come,” said Huston. — Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News The company is seeking to unlock Graphite Creek’s value at a time when the global transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy is demanding massive quantities of the graphite that is found in abundance at the western Alaska project. The World Bank forecasts that low-carbon energy technologies, primarily lithium-ion batteries, will require 4.5 million metric tons of graphite per year by 2050, which is nearly a 500% increase over 2018 levels and a 310% increase over the total graphite mined worldwide during 2020. And there are currently no domestic graphite mines to help supply the United States’ share of this skyrocketing demand.
of upgrading Graphite Creek concentrates into the anode material that goes into lithium-ion batteries and other industrial graphite products. A 2017 preliminary economic assessment that offered a first glimpse of what this supply chain might look like investigated the economic and engineering parameters of a mine at Graphite Creek that would produce roughly 60,000 metric tons of 95% graphite concentrate per year and a processing facility to upgrade these annual concentrates into 41,850 metric tons of the coated spherical graphite and 13,500 metric tons of purified graphite powders annually. A PFS slated for completion by the end of this year will provide a more detailed and definitive look at this potential North American supply of the graphite demanded by a transition to e-mobility plugged into power grids increasingly energized by renewable electricity. “While the 2017 preliminary economic analysis indicated excellent economics, we are very excited about the potential for the PFS to show a clear path for further development,” said Graphite One President and CEO Anthony Huston. Much of Graphite One’s 2021 fieldwork will focus on collecting the data needed for designing and permitting a
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Pebble Project Faces Another Challenge from Pedro Bay Corp.
Easements Sought Around Lake Iliamna to Protect Salmon
A Bristol Bay village corporation’s plan to sell a conservation easement blocking access to the proposed Pebble Mine site is the latest challenge presented to the Pebble Project. Pedro Bay Corp. is seeking conservation easements on land it owns around Lake Iliamna, an arrangement that would be a significant hurdle to any future plans to remove ore from the giant Pebble deposit. More than 90% of shareholders have agreed to the plan, which calls for The Conservation Fund to buy easements on 44,000 acres. In return for the restrictions on its property rights, the Alaska Native village corporation would receive $18.3 million, plus $500,000 to its cultural and education fund. The land that would be covered by the easement includes part of the “northern corridor” that Pebble Limited Partnership proposed to bring ore from the mine to a port on Cook Inlet. This has been the preferred route for Federal regulators. Pebble said last week that focusing on the permitting process is its sole focus. “Our focus remains on working with the US Army
manage the easement. Its director, Tim Troll, says subsistence, cultural activities and tourism would still be allowed. “There are some limitations on what they can construct. We’re not looking at huge buildings,” he said. “But as long as it’s consistent with the overall purposes of the easement, then it’s OK.” The Conservation Fund, based in Virginia, must raise the money. CEO Larry Selzer said the organization prioritized these lands in part because of Pebble. Pebble Limited Partnership is urging recently confirmed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan to support a full and fair permitting process for the Pebble mine project in Southwest Alaska. After nearly three years of permitting under the National Environmental Policy Act, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied federal permits needed to develop a mine at Pebble. This negative record of decision conflicts with an earlier final environmental impact statement by the lead agency for Pebble permitting that found a mine can be developed
at the world-class deposit without damage to the Bristol Bay fishery while also making significant contributions to the economy of the region, as well as the state as a whole. “Thus, the definitive record for the Pebble Project shows it can be developed responsibly, without harm to the Bristol Bay fishery, and for the social and economic benefit of communities closest to the proposed operation, the vast majority of whose citizens are Alaska Natives,” Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively penned in a letter to Regan. Citing inconsistencies in the Army Corps’ findings and unprecedented mitigation requirements, Pebble Partnership has appealed the Army Corps’ decision to deny the Clean Water permit. In addition to providing background on Pebble and offering to meet with Regan and his staff, the Pebble Partnership urges the administrator to support its rights for due process under the law. Alaska Public Media and North of 60 Mining News contributed to this story
Corps of Engineers as its conducts its administrative appeal of the Pebble Project Record of Decision. This recent development hasn’t really changed that focus in any way,” Pebble wrote in a release issued to news media. In November, the Army Corps rejected Pebble’s mine application, saying the plan for the open-pit gold and copper mine was not compatible with the Clean Water Act. The Pebble Partnership is appealing that decision. Pebble is the world’s largest known undeveloped deposit of copper. Pedro Bay Corporation has fewer than 200 shareholders. Protecting important salmon habitat, not thwarting Pebble, is the main purpose of the easements, organizers say. Only a small portion of the 44,000 acres covered would have been used in the northern corridor. The easements would restrict industrial-scale developments, but not all economic activity. The Bristol Bay Heritage Land Trust would
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Coeur Alaska Employees Help Juneau Community in Big Way
Juneau Gold Rush Days Looks to Return in 2022
Photo Courtesy Gold Rush Days The Juneau Gold Rush Days Board of Directors recently announced the cancellation of the Juneau Gold Rush Days Celebration for 2021 due ue to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board said it is looking forward to 2022 when Alaskans can gather again to celebrate mining and logging.
Photo Courtesy Coeur Alaska Employees of Coeur Alaska and Kensington Mine braved the typical Juneau weather last month to participate in the Annual Juneau Litter Free Community Cleanup. The crew picked up litter along Coeur Alaska’s road sponsored through the Adopt-a- Highway Program. Coeur would like to thank all the volunteers who participated in the cleanup, which is one more example of Coeur’s contributions to the Juneau community.
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Corporate Members
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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. Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. Hyak Mining Company IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association Industrial Pumps of Alaska
RAM Enterprise, Inc. 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 ISCO Industries 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
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 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 Geosyntec Consultants 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 Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company HighGold Mining Ltd Holland America Line - Princess Cruises
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 Safety Services, Inc. Big Ray’s Alaska Inc. Blackwolf Copper & Gold Ltd. Bobcat of Juneau Boyer Towing Inc. Brenntag Pacific Brice Inc. Brilliant Media Strategies Alaska, 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
yellowknife • whitehorse • juneau
northlandwood.com
Metco Alaska LLC MFCP/Jackovich Millrock Resources Inc.
www.aurorageosciences.com
Mitsubishi Materials USA Corp 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
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June 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I June 2021
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New and Renewing Members
Russell C. Babcock, Longtime Kennecott Geologist, Passes Away
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association from March 1 to April 20. You make AMA possible! Corporations Ahtna Inc. Alaska Coastal Aggregates LLC Colaska Cummins Sales & Service Northwest Pump Remote Made Easy (PSSA) TDX Corporation Weir Minerals Professional Brianna Force Kirsten Fristad Sonia Henrick Michael & Sarah Satre Paul Stockburger Individual Bill Bennett Frank Bergstrom Yvonne Henry & James G Bush Forrest Charlton Larry Cooper Estill ‘Ed’ Dewitt Robert Dun Jeffrey Eitzmann William Fitzhugh Barbara Ford Sam Mazzeo Jim Munsell Graham Neale Juvina Ortega Tyler Payment Russell & Kimberly Plantt Evan Reilly William Robinson Bill Schnabel
worldwide. In 2003, he was the recipient of the Society for Mining Metallurgy and Exploration Ben Dickerson Award. Babcock loved nature and shared that love with his boys. Family road trips usually ended with unloading of interesting rocks from the back of the station wagon When the boys were older and gathered in Utah for the holidays, geology field trips were typically on the agenda. He is survived by his wife Judith (Derhake) Babcock, his brother David Babcock, sister Jean (Babcock) Greene, and his six sons: Russ, Chris, Jon, David, Jason and Mike. Russ was an active member and jubilant singer in the congregation at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church. The family is asking that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the St. Paul’s Food Pantry in his memory. Go to stpauls-slc.org/stewardship and include “food pantry” in the memo. An event to celebrate Babcock’s life will be scheduled when there is less risk of COVID-19 exposure, likely outdoors.
Russell C. Babcock Jr., 84, passed away Feb. 8, 2020, in Salt Lake City, Utah. Babcock was born in Elkhorn, Wisc., to Russell C. Babcock and Dorothy Babcock. He grew up in Delavan, Wisc., graduating from Lawrence University and then received a Master of Science degree in economic geology from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Babcock loved his profession, and his career took him and his family around the world from Alaska to New Zealand. He made many lifelong friends along the way. He retired as the chief geologist from Rio Tinto Kennecott in 1996 after 37 years. Babcock was employed by Kennecott in various exploration geology positions from 1956 through his retirement in 1994, including service as director of exploration from January 1986 through November 1990 and chief geologist form November 1990 until he retired in 1994. Since his retirement he worked as a consulting economic geologist, specializing in exploration for and evaluation of base and precious metal deposits
Richard Fuelling Thomas Howard Randy Johnson John Lamborn Kathi & Jerry Lapp Steve Masterman
Samuel R Smith Andrew Spokely Jason M Trine Colin & Amanda Webb Rob Wesselman James & Dorothy Wilson
Russ Blood Joe Bovee Steve Buckley Donald B Burford
Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Wolseley Industrial Group
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.
Arctic Trace ® Submersible Heat Trace Freeze Protection System "Inside the Pipe or Vessel" www.arctictrace.com (907) 522-3004 A pplications: Monitoring Wells Commercial Water Line Deep Well Tracing Gutter & Drain Waste & Vent Septic Tank & Sewer Outfall
Arctic engineering and environmental services.
We thrive on challenges
RESPECTING OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT
golder.com
Ambler Metals is an independently operated company owned equally by Trilogy Metals Inc. & South32 Limited
Learn more at www.amblermetals.com
Rainer Trucking Inc. P.O. Box 72905 Fairbanks, AK 99707 EMAIL rainertruckinginc@yahoo.com PHONE (907) 457-2000 FAX (907) 455-4614
2 to 14 Axle Combinations Licensed & Bonded Lowboys
Legal Counsel - AK
We help mines thrive.
Follow Alaska Miners Association on Twitter: @AlaskaMiners
Flats Vans
J.P. Tangen Attorney at Law (P.C.) P.O. Box 297 Hansville, WA 98340
Victor Ross (907) 352-7809
victor.ross@stantec.com Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 450-1425 steve.reidsma@stantec.com
And on Facebook: AlaskaMiners
Rainer Equipment Inc. 2552 Steese Hwy. Fairbanks, AK 99712 PHONE (907) 457-8109 FAX (907) 457-2014
Mining Salvage and Reclamation
(907) 222-3985 • Toll Free (877) 414-3985 jpt@jptangen.com • www.jptangen.com
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June 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I June 2021
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Alaskans serving Alaskans Celebrating 40 years Oxford is proud to be the only gold re ner and bullion dealer to maintain two locations in Alaska for more than 40 years. We offer maximum returns on gold and silver, whether you’re a miner or an investor. Buying, selling, or trading – Oxford provides the service, value, honesty, and integrity that Alaskans have counted on for generations.
Alaska Mining Calendar
Alaska Earth Sciences Comprehensive Geologic Services
n AMA and other organizations are planning for some events beginning in late summer and are hopeful for them to be in person. n July 30: Mining Day at the Tanana Valley State Fair (in conjunction with Military Appreciation Day) n Aug. 21: Mining Day at the Alaska State Fair (Note: this is two Saturdays
before Labor Day weekend)
p Geologic Consulting p Geologic Staffing p Geological Engineering p Reporting (including 43-101) p Logistics/Operation Coordination p Remote Site Management p GIS Services • Geologic Consulting • Geologic Staffing • Geologic Engineering • Reporting (including 43-101) • Logistics/Operation Coordination • Remote Site Management • GIS Services • Permitting Assistance • Community Engagement • Claims Staking • Claims Administration • Equipment Rental p Permitting Assistance p Community Engagement p Claims Staking p Claims Administration p Equipment Rental
Dedicated to responsible development of Alaska’s resources.
Sept. 13-15: MinExpo
Alaska Earth Sciences Comprehensive Geologic Services
International in Las Vegas, Nev., (rescheduled from 2020)
p Geologic Consulting p Geologic Staffing p Geological Engineering p Reporting (including 43-101) p Logistics/Operation Coordination p Remote Site Management p GIS Services
Dedicated to responsible development of Alaska’s resources.
n Nov. 1-5:
AMA Annual Convention at Dena’ina Center in Anchorage
p Permitting Assistance p Community Engagement p Claims Staking p Claims Administration p Equipment Rental
11401 Olive Lane, Anchorage, Alaska p 907-522-4664 www.alaskaearthsciences.com Dedicated to responsible development of Alaska’s resources.
n Dec. 6-10: American Exploration & Mining Association
11401 Olive Lane, Anchorage, Alaska p 907-522-4664 www.alaskaearthsciences.com
Annual Meeting in Reno, Nev.
ANCHORAGE ■ FAIRBANKS ■ NOME ■
AMA Branch Meetings
n See branch
n AMA branch meetings are
events updates here: www. alaskaminers.
— JUNEAU, ALASKA — AVAILABLE STATEWIDE
being held together as one statewide meeting.
org/ama- member- branches
www.oxfordmetals.com 1.800.693.6740 ALASKA’S ONLY LOCAL REFINER BUY : SELL : TRADE
✓ CONSTRUCTION ✓ EXPLORATION ✓ CONTRACT
✓ SUPPORT ✓ CHARTER
AMA Zoom Meetings
n Meetings for all statewide members of AMA are scheduled for once per month through August. The dates are: July 23 August 20
operations@coastalhelicopters.com 907-789-5600 www.coastalhelicopters.com
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June 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Despite the challenges of operating during a pandemic, Hecla Mining Company was able to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its business, including its operations at Greens Creek. Hecla reduced its companywide greenhouse gas emissions by 36% last year and its injury rate by 24% – while extending a helping hand to its neighbors with food, supplies and financial assistance. You can learn more in the company’s 2020 Sustainability Report at heclagreenscreek.com.
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