A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Members, February finds us with our hands full after starting 2019 carrying out the new message that is Alaska is Open for Business. Since Gover- nor Dunleavy stood before us fol- lowing his election, we’ve worked hard to ensure his message en- couraging the mining industry to look to Alaska is carried out. We started these efforts at Round- up Convention held by the Associ-
And at the Department of Environmental Conservation, Jason Brune has been appointed Commissioner. While many of us know him from his time with AMA, I’ve known Jason for over 15 years when we worked together at RDC on issues much broader than mining. While various campaigns underway are attempting to smear Jason’s name for his employment by a partner in the Pebble Project, they are missing the mark in that Jason is highly qualified to lead DEC, with an extensive scien- tific background. Many don’t know that Jason arrived in Alas- ka to study environmental impacts of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on marine mammals. He has served on various environmental workgroups and committees such as the Cook Inlet Beluga re- covery team. Jason has had a longtime focus on responsible resource development – many of you have seen his business name, Think Globally Develop Locally (TGDL), and his hash tags in all communications regarding his beliefs. I think he’ll make a superb DEC Commissioner and I thank the many of you who have sent in letters of support for him. Aside from promoting the investment climate in Alaska, we re- main focused on fundamental industry priorities to ensure the industry can successfully permit and pursue mining develop- ment in our state. Two of our top priorities, resolution of mineral tenure issues and a secure process for the designation of Tier 3 outstanding natural resource waters are being addressed through special AMA workgroups and developing educational materials that provide background information and sound poli- cy recommendations. We continue our work to ensure we are ready to hit the ground running on all AMA priorities. I’ll keep you posted along the way. My best,
ation of Mineral Exploration British Columbia (AME-BC). While the Governor couldn’t attend due to events taking place in the Legislature, Melanie Werdon from DGGS spoke to the mineral potential in Alaska. Other key players in our state’s mining in- dustry spoke to the investment climate following the election of a leader who publicly invites miners to the state and boasts of the industry’s accomplishments. We at AMA supplemented this message through meetings, booth visits, and sharing the re- cent interview Governor Dunleavy provided to the Alaska Miner on his vision for Alaska’s mining industry, citing his desire to see “40 or 60 more Red Dogs [mines] in this state.” In my discussions at Roundup and elsewhere, I’ve also shared that the Governor has compiled a Cabinet of department lead- ers with impressive resumes. For the agencies that Alaska’s miners most closely work with, the Governor has appointed Corri Feige as Commissioner of Department of Natural Re- sources. Corri is a geophysicist and has been involved in per- mitting and regulation of oil and gas and mining projects for many years in Alaska. I have always admired her intelligence and passion for resource development and the environment. At the Department of Fish and Game, longtime agency expert Doug Vincent-Lang has been appointed Commissioner pend- ing the agency process involving the Boards of Fish and Game. Doug has lengthy service to Alaska though fish and wildlife management and brings this special expertise at a time we greatly need it.
Deantha Crockett Executive Director
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. 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 Crockett, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Laci Michaud, Projects Manager Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
Executive Board Mike Satre, President Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company, Juneau Bill Jeffress, First Vice President SRK Consulting, Anchorage Bartly Kleven, Second Vice President Kinross – Fort Knox, Fairbanks Kim Aasand, Treasurer Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Roger Speer, Denali Anna Atchison, Fairbanks James Sage, Haines Frank Bergstrom, Juneau Jim Duffield, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Steve Grabacki, Fisheries Meg Day, HR/Workforce Development Paul Glavinovich, State Oversight
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February 2019 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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