Alaska Miner Journal, November 2020

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.

PROVEN DEPENDABILITY, DELIVERED EVERY TIME DIESEL • GASOLINE • LUBRICANTS • PROPANE • HEATING FUEL • AVIATION FUELS 866.770.5587 • Crowley.com/AMA

November 2020 Volume 48, Number 11

Journal of the Alaska Miners Association

n Election Has Big Implications for Miners, Page 14

n First AMA Virtual Convention Starts Nov. 2; Complete Virtual Convention Details at AlaskaMiners.org

History in the Making

REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION BY 8 % * OUR IRON WILL WAS TO

SO YOUR IRON WILL BE EVEN MORE EFFICIENT.

PROUDLY PROVIDING ALASKA with underground, surface and helicopter supported core drilling for mineral exploration and geotechnical work.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED. INTRODUCING THE EX5600-7. See all the improvements at HitachiConstruction.com/EX5600-7.

Wade Gies Operations Manager

Clayton Dunn Sales and PSSR Fairbanks Branch

ANCHORAGE BRANCH 5400 Homer Drive Anchorage, AK 99518

FAIRBANKS BRANCH 2615 20th Ave Fairbanks, AK 99709 (907) 455-9600 (907) 455-9700 F

JUNEAU BRANCH 5302 Commercial Blvd Juneau, AK 99801 (907) 780-4030 (907) 780-4800 F

KETCHIKAN BRANCH 7332 N. Tongass Hwy. Ketchikan, AK 99901 (907) 247-2228 (907) 247-2229 F

(907) 563-3822 (907) 563-1381 F

800-322-3201 • office@ruendrilling.com ruendrilling.com

*Comparison of Cummins engine configuration against EX5600-6.

19-HIT-0395_EX5600-7_Alaska_Miners_Mag_8.375x10.875.indd 1

9/27/19 11:22 AM

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

A Message from the Executive Director

“IMPACTS TO BRISTOL BAY SALMON ARE NOT EXPECTED TO BE MEASURABLE” THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT

Dear Members, Alaska Miners are doers. We go places most others would avoid, to find and deliver what the world needs. It’s what we do. The nature of dealing with vast challenges and distance, extreme conditions, unnerving economics, and the real mystery of digging in raw dirt to find precious metals, is enough to make people wonder why anybody even tries it. But Alaska’s miners don’t think twice about it. It’s what we do. We have had plenty of challenges to work with this year. What started in January as potentially one of the most productive, exciting years that miners in Alaska have seen in a decade, then spiraled into a pandemic- driven mess. But we quickly proved how essential, in every sense of the word, Alaska miners are. Embracing safety has always been at the core of everything we do as an industry and as individual miners. When the pandemic reached Alaska, we quickly worked across the industry to share best practices and advise protections to adopt responsible operations plans and develop protocols for the upcoming placer and exploration seasons. It’s what we do. But we did more than just maintain. We saw a major victory as SB155, the mineral tenure bill, was passed during the final days of the Legislature prior to taking a COVID safety recess. It is important to remember this major accomplishment on behalf of our industry and the champions in the Legislature that ensured its passage, and to look forward

alaska-miner-magazine. And if you have not yet voted for whatever reason, please vote Nov. 3. More than ever, every vote counts and we know miners vote. It’s what we do. We also know the camaraderie and kinship of like-minded folks who again take on the challenges and succeed. Our first ever virtual convention begins Nov. 1, and we continue to improve and refine the plans. I think you will be pleased. If you have attended our weekly Zoom statewide branch meetings that began this month, I hope you have been pleased as I have been with both the high attendance and the superb interaction. Zoom will never replace a firm handshake, a heartfelt hug, or a hearty laugh, but it is our newest tool, just like the mining tools we continue to find and use. We have chosen to make the virtual convention both free and open to the public, both to ensure it’s easy for you to attend and to let potential new members and other Alaskans learn more about our industry. Your association has faced our own challenges. We have lost significant revenue from our two cancelled in person events this year. We have lost personal face time from the weekly and monthly meetings that are so critical to us all. But we have never lost our dedication to our industry and especially to you, our individual members, families, and member companies. Thanks for what you do, for our state, our industry, and our association every day. See you on Zoom!

to its implementation. Throughout this hectic year, AMA has never stopped working on your behalf to ensure that regulations favor your ability to work, whenever possible. This also means not just fighting bad policies, but also collaborating with agencies to even further strengthen the good things coming out of our regulators. Issues like National Park Service regulations revisions to implement the Supreme Court Sturgeon decision, new mining regulations following the passage of SB155, a total exemption of the Roadless Rule in the Tongass, new Executive Orders to grow the mineral supply chain, and so many others that can help to grow the mining industry in Alaska. As you are reading this, I hope you have already voted, either absentee or early, in this historic, critical November general election. From top to bottom of the ballot, the decisions we make this month will have major, long term implications for our nation, our state, and our industry. For that reason, we devoted a large part of our October Alaska Miner magazine to the issues and candidates in this election. You can read that full election guide in the magazine online at www.alaskaminers.org/

Page 4.24-47

Fifteen years of scientific analysis. $150 million in environmental studies. An objective regulatory review. ONE FINAL CONCLUSION.

Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director

www. Right Mine Right Time .com

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 Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Paul Glavinovich, State Oversight

Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

AMA Convention 2020

Alaska’s #1 Local Refiner

AMA Convention Goes Virtual for First Time

Highest payouts with the fastest turnaround times. Come see the difference! gbarefining.com

Our favorite week of the year, the annual Alaska Miners Association annual convention, is here! The week has not changed — Nov. 2-5. But virtually everything else has! This will be our first virtual convention, combining our respect for member safety as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, with our dedication and commitment to connect, educate and advocate for our industry. We are dedicated to ensuring that the sessions provide value to our members. The Convention group wholeheartedly pitched into ensure continuity and member engagement at highest level possible virtually. On the following pages we have provided a basic outline of our virtual convention, with the expectation that the events will evolve and expand as we draw closer to convention week. Watch your emails and AlaskaMiners.org for daily updates. We have a great lineup scheduled. Kick off the week Nov. 2 with a short course scheduled from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Placer Mine Permitting Short Course: is intended to provide the small mines operator

with information on permitting issues that apply to the industry. This short course is designed to provide small mines operators with information to help them navigate the permitting process. Presenters will cover the gamut of federal, state, and Fairbanks North Star Borough permitting and compliance requirements for mining operations. Nov. 3-5 will include daily technical sessions from 9-11a.m. and 1-3 p.m. — see the full schedule on Page 8! Poster Sessions, Core Shack, Prospectors Tent and Claim Post will also be held virtually. Poster Session: Nov. 4 from 3:30-5 p.m.; Core Shack and Prospectors Tent: Nov. 5 from 3:30-5 p.m. There is no fee to attend the virtual convention, and registration is now open at www.alaskaminers.org. Please visit our website for the most up to date information: www.alaskaminers.org. While we will miss seeing all of your faces in person, we are excited to “see” you online. AMA’s Zoom capabilities are Powered by GCI!

NOME 303 Front St. 764-4367 FAIRBANKS 915 30th Ave. Unit 111 479-4653 EAGLE RIVER 11000 Old Glenn Hwy. Unit 103 694-7100

ALASKAMINERS.ORG DON’T FORGET TO CHECK OUT THE RECENTLY REDESIGNED ALASKAMINERS.ORG!

There is a lot of great mining information available such as:

• ADVOCACY: The most recent mining issues at both state and federal levels • EVENTS: Check branch meeting schedules, look for convention updates, and more! • MEMBERSHIP: Download an application or find direct links to apply and/or renew online

• PUBLICATIONS: Digital of AMA’s most recent journals and magazines are available for you to read anytime or anywhere!

QUESTIONS? Contact laci@alaskaminers.org

Changing the way business is done in Alaska

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

AMA Convention 2020

ALASKA MINING

ECHNICAL

2020

essions

VIRTUAL

essions

CONVENTION

VIRTUAL

CONVENTION

TUESDAY NOV 3RD

WEDNESDAY NOV 4TH

THURSDAY NOV 5TH

TUESDAY NOV 3RD

WEDNESDAY NOV 4TH

THURSDAY NOV 5TH

TUESDAY NOV 3RD

WEDNESDAY NOV 4TH

THURSDAY NOV 5TH

GEOSCIENCE

EARLY

AND

INTERMEDIATE

STAGE

ELECTIONS

RECAP

INVESTIGATIONS

EXPLORATION

PROJECTS

POLICY

UPDATES

SESSION CHAIR | Joe Kurtak, BLM (Retired)

SESSION CHAIR | Varina Zinno, Calista Corp

SESSION CHAIR | Deantha Skibinski, AMA

9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.

The new Shaw Creek and Shawnee Peak

The Oreo Mountain Porphyry Cu-Mo-Ag-Au

TBA

- Ralph Samuels, HAP

airborne magnetic survey and DGGS

Prospect and Exploration History,

Minerals Program update

Metallogenics and Industry Activity in the

TBA

- Abraham Edmond, ADGGS

Tanacross Quadrangle, East-Central Alaska

- Alan Weitzner, AIDEA

- David Hedderly-Smith, D.A. Hedderly-Smith &

Associates

Tungsten skarn potential of the Yukon-Tanana

Implications of the Supreme Court's Maui

Uplands, Eastern Alaska,

County Decision for the Mining Industry

64North Project - First Year Exploration

- Eric Fjelstad, Perkins Coie, LLP

USA - A mineral resource assessment

Highlights From An Emerging Gold Camp

- George Case, USGS

- Christine Lawley, Resolution Minerals

Progress Report: Cobalt at Bornite

The Tibbs Gold Project: An Outlier in the

- Zach Mahffey, UAF

Goodpaster Mining District

- Eric Buitenhuis, Tectonic Metals

Alteration characteristics of the newly

discovered AG zone at the Palmer Property,

The Complete and Continuing Story of the

Southeast AK

Niblack Project; Prince of Wales Island,

- Fred Transburg, UAA

Southeast Alaska

- Graham Neale & Rob McLeod, Heatherdale

Resources

ADVANCED STAGE

INDUSTRY

OVERVIEW

EXPLORATION

PROJECTS

POLICY

UPDATES

MINING

OPERATIONS

SESSION CHAIR | Dave Szumigala, Geologist

SESSION CHAIR | Bill Jeffress, AMA President

SESSION CHAIR | Dan graham, Donlin gold

1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Alaska ’ s Pebble Opportunity - a project

Alaska Mining 2020: Discoveries are

The future of Kinross in Alaska

update

Waiting

- Jeremy Brans, Kinross Fort Knox

- John Shively, Pebble Limited Partnership

- Curt Freeman, Avalon Development Corp.

---

Recent Water Quality Changes in

Alaska ’ s Next Gold Mine - Advancing the

Office of Project Management and

Northwest Alaska Observations from the

Peak Gold deposit to a production decision

Permitting: looking forward

Red Dog Mine

in partnership with Kinross and the Tetlin

- Kyle Moselle, DNR & OPMP

- Mike Rieser, Teck America

Donlin Gold is poised to be one of the largest, highest-grade, and most prospective open-pit gold deposits in the world. We believe that it should be developed responsibly – through a safe and healthy workplace, stewardship of the environment, and the preservation of traditional cultures.

Tribe

- Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, Contango ORE

Alaska Mineral Tenure Post-SB155

Hecla Greens Creek Mine Drystack

- Ramona Monroe & Shannon Bleicher, Stoel Rives LLP

Tailings: North Extension Project

Ambler VMS Belt- A New Company, New

- Aaron Marsh, Hecla Greens Creek

Access, and New Opportunities

TBA

- Victor Ross, Stantec

- Andy West & David Szumigala, Ambler Metals

Kensington Mine - A stalwart member of the

community looks to its future

Swabs and Jobs: Rising to the Challenge at

- Mark Kiessling, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine

Donlin

- Michelle Deal, Donlin Gold

novagold.com

generously sponsored by

THIS

AGENDA

AND

SCHEDULE

ARE

SUBJECT

CHANGE

FOR

ALL

DATE

INFORMATION

PLEASE

VISIT

ALASKAMINERS.ORG

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

AMA Convention 2020

Zoom to AMA 2020 Convention!

“Development and job opportunities can coexist in harmony with the subsistence way of life, because you need one to effectively do the other.” – Andrea Gusty, President & CEO, The Kuskokwim Corporation

Online Core Shack, Prospectors’ Tent and Claim Post We’re continuing to expand the exciting opportunities that a virtual convention provides for our always- popular Core Shack, Prospectors’ Tent and Claim Post. We’re able to expand the information and connections we offer online for our member companies and potential projects to display their work. AMA’s 2020 virtual convention will be held on the Zoom video conferencing platform with support from GCI. Zoom is an online audio and web conferencing platform. People use it to make phone calls or to participate in video conference meetings. Zoom’s core product and the way most people know the service is Zoom Meetings. Zoom

MSHA Training While we know many of you depend on the convention for annual MSHA training, do not worry, MAPTS has you covered all year! They’ve been and will continue doing virtual trainings. MAPTS was established in 1979 to deliver training, development and consulting services to the resource industries of Meetings are the audio and video conferences that allow two or more people to communicate online. Zoom Meetings happen in the Zoom app and can be started and shared by anyone. These meetings can even be started for free via the app, if you have it installed, or via the Zoom website. You can also use Zoom on your smart phone. You don’t need a paid subscription to start using Zoom. In fact, if

someone else sets up the Zoom Meeting and invites you, all you need to do is follow the instructions in the email invitation to start using Zoom. You’ll need to click a link to install the Zoom app, and then enter the conference code to sign into the meeting to which you’ve been invited. Watch for AMA convention invitations to attend Zoom sessions and look for more information at AlaskaMiners.org.

employer-driven soft-skills and hands-on hard-skills industrial training. The Mining and Petroleum Training Service provides health, safety and

To learn more, visit us at donlingold.com

environmental training for industry in Alaska. We provide training on

underground and surface mining as well as training in IADC well control, MSHA compliance and other topics. Information: www.uaf.edu/mapts

Your Southeast Alaska Mine Supply Headquarters

Alaska. Since that time, MAPTS has broadened its offerings to include

Photo: Sandvik

www.tylerrental.com (907) 780-2210 Let’s Make it Happen!

Follow Alaska Miners Association on Twitter: @AlaskaMiners and on Facebook: AlaskaMiners

Authorized Dealer

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

Action Likely Soon to Exempt Tongass From ‘Roadless Rule’

TEMSCO

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

HELICOPTERS, INC.

TIMBER EXPLORATION MINING SURVEY CARGO OPERATIONS

Serving all of Alaska since 1958

Photo Courtesy Unsplash

The end of October should mark a historic end to the Roadless Rule that has limited timber harvest and resource development in the Tongass National Forest for decades. This could have long term implications for other development including mining in Southeast Alaska. The Trump administration has continued to open more federal lands in Alaska to development activity Sept. 25 with a recommendation for a full exemption from the Roadless Rule for the Tongass National Forest. The Roadless Rule forbids road building and industrial activity — with some exceptions — in areas that do not already have them. It covers nearly 9.4 million acres or just over half of Southeast Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. Under the federal government’s rulemaking process the Secretary of Agriculture has to wait 30 days from releasing its formal “record of decision.” The current draft EIS lists six potential options and selects Alternative 6, a full exemption of the Tongass National Forest from the Clinton-era 2001 Roadless Rule as the preferred option. Alternative 6 is fully responsive to the State of Alaska’s petition to completely remove the Tongass National Forest from the Roadless Rule. This USDA preferred alternative removes all 9.2 million roadless acres and reclassifies 165,000 old-growth acres and 20,000 young-growth acres to suitable timber lands. The draft EIS only applies to the Tongass National Forest. Alaska Gov. Michael J. Dunleavy has praised the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s draft EIS. “Today’s announcement on the Roadless Rule is further proof that Alaska’s economic outlook is looking brighter every day,” said Governor Dunleavy in a September release. “The ill-advised 2001 Roadless Rule shut down the timber industry in Southeast Alaska, wiping out jobs and economic opportunity for thousands of Alaskans. “ Dunleavy, the Trump administration and Alaska’s congressional delegation have worked together to get the change made. At the Southeast Conference in September, Sen. Lisa Murkowski praised the federal government’s decision.

“The Roadless Rule is not just about timber,” Murkowski said via videoconference link. “It is about reasonable access for a wide variety of users, whether it is for renewable energy that we work so hard to build, whether for recreation, whether for mineral — it is for all pieces of the Southeast economy.” Alaska’s congressional delegation has long opposed the 2001 rule. So has the state of Alaska, which sued and settled with the feds to win an exemption that lasted about seven years. Fully repealing the Clinton-era prohibition on new roads across much of the national forest system would open all 9.2 million acres currently classified as roadless in the Tongass to potential mining, logging, and energy development, all of which are made much easier with road access in the forest’s predominantly mountainous terrain. At roughly 17 million acres, the Tongass covers the vast majority of Southeast Alaska and is by far the largest national forest in the country. The Alaska Forest Association — a timber industry group — applauded the federal government’s decision. “Application of the Roadless Rule to the Tongass was never appropriate and has stifled the timber industry, and the larger Southeast economy,” AFA Board President Bert Burkhart said in a statement. Commercial fishing, conservation and some tourism groups insist Southeast’s economy has moved on from its heavy reliance on the timber industry to rely on tourism and fishing. According to a Forest Service report detailing the nearly 270,000 comments the agency received late last year on the draft plan to repeal the Roadless Rule, 96 percent of the 15,909 unique letters supported maintaining the rule in full. Trump administration agencies have similarly advanced broad rollbacks of development prohibitions on federal lands in Alaska including opening federal land on the North Slope to oil exploration, approving the Ambler Road to open up interior mining and opening more Federal offshore waters to oil leasing.

TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. PO Box 5057, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Phone 907-225-5141 Fax 907-225-2340 www.temscoair.com

In Business Since 1988

Helping mines thrive.

MINE DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT

• Mine Design, Planning and Scheduling Services (Vulcan 3-D, & Deswik Design Software) • Ore Resource Modeling • 43-101 Feasibility Studies and QP Reporting • Mine Management Services for Existing and New Mines • Long Hole Mining Design and Management and Audit Services • Underground Ventilation Design and Modeling (VentSim Software) • Mine Infrastructure Design and Implementation • Mine Startup Assistance with Geologic, Underground Survey, and Engineering Services

Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 450-1425 steve.reidsma@stantec.com Victor Ross (907) 352-7809 victor.ross@stantec.com

Roughstock Mining Services Steve Cutler-General Manager 4671 Shandalyn Lane Bozeman, Montana 59718 406-580-7016 www.roughstockmining.com

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

Nov. 3 Election Has Big Implications for Miners

Only pay for the speed you need... Dynamic Routing!

As this Journal goes to press, there’s certainty about only one thing in the Nov. 3 general election — that the results will have long-term impacts on Alaska, in general, and the Alaska mining community, in general. At a national level, incumbent Republican President Donald Trump has been particularly good for resource development in Alaska, both appointing Alaskans to key national roles and directing the most aggressive reverse of anti-development government rules in a generation. Trump’s reelection should ensure that trend continues, while Democratic challenger Joe Biden has advocated for a return to restrictions on Alaska resource development, especially North Slope oil and gas. Following the presidential lead, Alaska’s incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young, both with long histories supporting resource development, have strong opponents with deep election war chests. For Alaska voters, the slate of state candidates reflects the loss of nine long-time moderate

Republican Senators and Representatives in the August primary, and sets the stage for a dramatic shift in both state houses to give Gov. Mike Dunleavy a Legislature more in line with his conservative policies, at a time when the state faces massive budget shortfalls. Finally, Ballot Measure 1, a ballot initiative to restructure Alaska’s oil tax structure yet again, has generated more than $19 million in campaign advertising. Opponents, including AMA, have consistently pointed out the measure would do great harm to Alaska’s most important industry — oil and gas — and by default all the related industries, communities and families, as well as the state budget, that rely on the oil industry. Absentee voting under current pandemic conditions has been at a record pace. Alaska polls for in-person voting will be open until 8 p.m. Nov. 3. AMA will join other Alaska industry associations to hold a post-election online chat discussing election results as they come in.

While our consultants are grounded, your surveys can still take ight. Keeping up the momentum. .com

On time and on budget. At Lynden, we understand that plans change but deadlines don’t. That’s why we proudly offer our exclusive Dynamic Routing system. Designed to work around your unique requirements, Dynamic Routing allows you to choose the mode of transportation – air, sea or land – to control the speed of your deliveries so they arrive just as they are needed. With Lynden you only pay for the speed you need. www.lynden.com | 1-888-596-3361

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

AMA Convention 2020

Thank You to our Convention Supporters! As previously announced, AMA made the difficult decision to cancel the in-person aspects of our Annual Convention this November and will proceed with an abbreviated version of technical talks via Zoom. Our Sponsors, Trade Show Exhibitors, and other special supporters are the backbone of our events, and we deeply regret missing the networking opportunities that these companies and individuals have provided for so many years. We thank our 2019 Annual Convention and 2020 Spring Fairbanks event supporters for their commitment to AMA, and welcome all of our participants back in what we hope is 2021, for an event that is better than ever. Thank you for your longtime support of AMA’s events and mission. Stay well!

n Ground Truth Americas Inc. n H2T Mine Engineering Services LLP n Hawley Resource Group n HDR n Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company n Heritage Rock & Services n HighGold Mining Ltd n Horst Expediting & Remote Operations n Howee’s Machine Shop n Imdex Limited n IMIG Audio/Visual Rental & Stag n Industrial Pumps of Alaska, Inc. n International Directional Services n International Flow n ISCO n JCM Industries n JH Fletcher & Co. n JOA Surveys LLC n Just Refiners USA, Inc. n Kinross-Fort Knox n Lake and Peninsula Airlines n Lawson Products, Inc. n Liebherr USA, Co. n Lifewater Engineering Company n Lynden n Major Drilling America, Inc. n Mascott Equipment Company n McDowell Group n MES Mining (Mining & Environmental Services LLC) n Michael Baker

Training Service n Montgomery & Associates n Motion & Flow Control Products Inc. n Motion Industries n Mount Baker Mining & Metals n NANA n NC Machinery n New Horizons Telecom, Inc. n North of 60 Mining News n Northern Sonic Drilling and Consulting n Northern Star (Pogo) LLC n Northern Star Resources n Northrim Bank n Northspan Drilling Ltd. n Northwest Pump n NovaGold Resources Inc. n NRC Alaska n On-line Exploration Services n OneALASKA n Orica USA Inc n Owl Ridge Natural Resource Consultants, Inc. n Oxford Assaying & Refining Corp. n Pathfinder Aviation, LLC n Pebble Limited Partnership n Perkins Coie LLP n Phoenix Industrial, Inc. n PIP Printing n Pollux Aviation Ltd. n Power the Future n Pro-Seal Service Group n Purcell Tire n Quantum Machine Works Ltd n Quintillion Networks n Rain for Rent n RAM Enterprise, Inc. n Redpath USA

n Rivers of Gold - IPOP LLC n Roadpost USA Inc. n ROTAK Helicopter Services n Roughstock Mining Services n Ruen Drilling Inc n Sample Archive System, Inc. n Samson Tug & Barge Co., Inc. n Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology n Satellite Technical Services n Seametrics n SGS North America Inc. n Shoreside Petroleum Inc. n SLR International Corporation n SmithCo Manufacturing, Inc. n SMS Equipment Inc. n Soloy Helicopters, LLC n Sophie Station Suites n Sourdough Fuel - Petro Star Inc. n Span Alaska Transportation n SRK Consulting n Stantec Consulting Services n State of Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys n State of Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation n State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources n State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land & Water n Stinson LLP n Stoel Rives LLP n Surveyors Exchange n SVL Analytical Inc.

n Tagiuk Gold n Taiga Mining Company n Taiga Ventures/PacWest Drilling n Techline Alaska n Teck Alaska - Red Dog Operations n TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. n TerraSond Limited, An Acteon Company n The Alaska Support Industry Alliance n TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc. n Tower Hill Mines, Inc.- Livengood Gold Project n TrailerCraft, Inc. n Transgroup Global Logistics n Travis/Peterson Environmental Consulting, Inc. n Trijet Precision Cutting, LLC n Trilogy Metals US n TTT Environmental, LLC n UMV, Express DMV Solutions n University of Alaska Land Management n Unmanned Aerial Services n US Geological Survey n USDA Forest Service n Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. n Victaulic n Wartsila North America, Inc. n Waste Management National Services n Weir Minerals North America n Western Alaska Copper & Gold n Willowstick Technologies n Wolseley Industrial Group/Ferguson Enterprises, Inc. n Zonge International Inc.

n Acrow Bridge n ACZ Laboratories, Inc. n AECOM n AIDEA n AIL Mining n Airgas an Air Liquide Company n Alaska Aggregate Products LLC n Alaska Airlines/Alaska Air Cargo

n Alaskan Gun Guard, LLC n All Pro Toyota Alaska n Ambler Metals LLC n Arcticom LLC n ARS Aleut Analytical, LLC n Aurora Geosciences (Alaska) Ltd. n Automatic Welding & Supply Corp. n Avalon Development Corp. n Beacon Occupational Health and Safety Services, Inc. n BeadedStream n BGC Engineering, Inc. n Black Gold Express, Inc.

n Chugach Alaska Corporation

n EcoSolution Distributing n Elemetal Direct n Energy Laboratories Inc. n Environmental Compliance Consultants, Inc. (ECC) n Equipment Source, Inc. n ERM n Esri n Everts Air Cargo n Explore Fairbanks n Fairbanks Block and Building Materials n Fairweather, LLC n Fibergrate Composite Structures, Inc. n Fireweed Strategies LLC n First Drilling n Flowline Alaska, Inc. n Frontier Supply n Fuse & Traverse, LLC. n GCI n General Refining Corporation n Geotemps, Inc. n GES - Global Equipment Services Inc. n GF Urecon / ISCO - AH McElroy n Gold Buyers of Alaska: GBA Assaying & Refining n Golder Associates Inc. n Graphite One (Alaska) Inc. n Green Star of Interior Alaska n Greg Erkins

n Clarion Hotel and Suites n Coastal Helicopters, Inc. n Coeur Alaska – Kensington Mine n Columbia River Carbonates n Composit n CONAM Construction Company n ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. n Conrad Houston Insurance n Constantine Metal Resources, LTD n Construction Machinery Industrial LLC n Cook Inlet Region Inc. (CIRI) n Core Geoscience LLC n Crowley Fuels n Cummins Inc. n Delta Mining Services, LLC n Delta P Pump n Delta Western LLC dba Inlet Energy n Denali Industrial Supply Inc. n Discovery Drilling Inc. n Donlin Gold n Dorsey & Whitney LLP n Doyon, Limited n DXP Alaska Pump & Supply n Dyno Nobel Inc.

n Alaska Business n Alaska Business

n Alaska Clean Tanks n Alaska Dreams, Inc. n Alaska Earth Sciences, Inc. n Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. n Alaska Horn & Antler n Alaska Industrial Hardware, Inc. n Alaska Land Exploration, LLC. n Alaska Land Status, Inc. n Alaska Minerals Inc. n Alaska Railroad n Alaska Resource Education n Alaska Roteq Corporation n Alaska Rubber & Rigging Supply n Alaska Satellite Internet n Alaska Steel, Co. n Alaska Support Industry Alliance

n BLM Minerals n BME USA Inc. n Boart Longyear

n Boreal GeoSciences n Brenntag Pacific, Inc. n Bristol Bay Native Corporation n Bruker Corporation n Builders Choice Modular, LLC n Bureau Veritas Minerals n C & R Pipe and Steel, Inc. n Calista Corporation n Camp Water Industries LLC n Cardoso Integrated Security (CIS Alaska)

International n Microcom

n Midnight Sun Drilling Inc. n Millrock Resources Inc. n Mining and Petroleum

n CB Pacific n ChemTreat

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

Alaska Governor Responds to Legislators on Pebble Mine

Dear Speaker Edgmon and Representative Stutes, As governor of Alaska, one of my duties is to create economic opportunity for the benefit of all Alaskans, utilizing every available resource within our borders. No serious person would disagree

Kensington and Greens Creek mines in Southeast Alaska, any proposal within the Bristol Bay Mining District must demonstrate that it can operate in harmony with our fisheries. Regardless of the fate of the Pebble project, let me be absolutely clear: I will not stop fighting for the people of the Bristol Bay region who continue to suffer from an acute lack of economic opportunity. The wild salmon fishery, which I am unwilling to jeopardize, does not operate year-around. Most of the income it generates does not fall into the hands of those who live in the Bristol Bay region. Only 76 local workers filled the 5,471 processing jobs in 2017. Those who do fish, earn less than outside crews and comprise only 25 percent of permitholders. In the offseason, year- around residents are left to cope with unemployment rates that often exceed 12 percent and poverty levels that are more than double the statewide average. Worse, these economic impacts quickly lead to real human tragedies. Residents of Southwest Alaska, the vast majority of whom are Alaska Natives, are plagued by the highest suicide rate in the state at more than three and one-half times the national average. This crisis is compounded by a regional life expectancy of only 69 years among Alaska Natives. High school graduation rates are equally disappointing, reaching only 77 percent in 2019. I trust these statistics are as unacceptable to you as they are to me. It is disheartening that a representative of this economically depressed region, with so many of their residents deprived of meaningful opportunities to improve their life, would foment opposition to plans to address these inequalities. The American dream cannot be realized while constrained by dependency on government. I have yet to meet any Alaskan who wishes to live in this manner. A lack of regional development only prolongs this dependency and denies Alaskans their natural right to self-determination. It is in this spirit that I ask you to share your plans for the future of Bristol Bay’s economy. As you know, our legislative session is just months away, and Alaskans are in desperate need of our help. I stand ready and willing to join you in support of resource development projects that provide the year-around jobs and the opportunities needed to ensure the region’s long- term success. The economic adversity facing Bristol Bay poses a steep challenge, but the odds are far from insurmountable if we take action today. Many years ago, residents of the North Slope faced similar problems. However, thanks to responsible resource development, they have seen significant and ongoing

improvements to life expectancy, healthcare capacity, and education. The environment has also thrived, with the Central Arctic Herd expanding from 6,000 to 30,000 caribou, and traditional whaling activities continuing unabated. In fact, several corporations in the Bristol Bay area have made investments in

that accessing the mineral deposits within the Bristol Bay Mining District, if done in a way that protects the watershed, would transform the lives of Alaskans living in the region. My role is to ensure that each project is subject to a fair and rigorous review process, and that every opportunity to create thousands of jobs is fully explored. Preemptive vetoes, particularly in a region suffering from generational poverty and a chronic lack of economic options, have no place in Alaska. In addition to the economic benefits, mineral development in Alaska has the potential to improve our nation’s security. Just last week, the President declared a national emergency relating to our nation’s lack of domestic mineral production. As demand for strategic minerals and geo- political instability increases, Alaska has the ability to secure supply lines that presently depend on hostile powers. I cannot accept your argument that I should not, in my role as governor, seek to move viable projects forward for the benefit of economically depressed regions and our national security, particularly when my only act of promotion, both privately and publicly, has been to call for a fair federal review and permitting process. You are no doubt aware of this fact given that you cite a letter, drafted based on my conversations with Pebble project stakeholders, which stated exactly that. You are also aware that, at every juncture of this process, I have stated the best available science will determine the future of the Pebble project. This is true of every resource development project in the state of Alaska. No resource will be sacrificed for the benefit of another. Like

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy recently responded to criticism from several members of the Alaska Legislature about his role in regard to the Pebble Project in Bristol Bay. Here is the text of his letter to House Speaker Bryce Edgmon and Representative Louise Stutes.

YOUR SMART PHONE JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT SMARTER!

these very same oil fields. It is my hope that we can work together to create this same type of success in Bristol Bay. In the meantime, I will continue to advocate for responsible resource development projects for the benefit of all Alaskans. Sincerely, Mike Dunleavy Governor

Introducing

The lowest cost of entry for any satellite two-way device on the market today.

At NANA, we advance responsible resource development to improve the lives of our people. Our Iñupiaq values guide our partnerships and inform our operations at every level, every day.

• Least cost routing WiFi - Cellular - Satellite • Unheard of 950 character messaging • Lower cost of service • Ease of use • Worldwide Coverage via Iridium Advantages compared to competition:

Together, let’s develop Alaska’s potential.

Contact your nearest dealer today

Find an STS dealer near you today at 206.321.6896 www.SatelliteWest.com

nana.com

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

Hecla Greens Creek Files Plan to Expand Tailings Disposal Facility

n Avoids the need to construct a new, remote tailings- disposal facility n Continues the same or similar dry-stack tailings- disposal method, which has been previously reviewed and approved by the U.S. Forest Service n Extends the existing tailings stack in a manner that minimizes disturbance. To the extent practical, it locates the extended tailings stack and new, associated, supporting infrastructure on areas already disturbed and/

community needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Greens Creek Mine is located on Admiralty Island, approximately 18 miles south of Juneau. It produces silver, zinc, lead and gold. The mine is 100 percent owned and operated by Hecla Mining Company. Last year, it produced 9,890,125 ounces of silver, 56,625 ounces of gold, 20,112 tons of lead and 56,805 tons of zinc. The formal scoping period will continue through Nov. 23.

or on areas immediately adjacent to existing disturbance. Where possible, the company plans to use in-place infrastructure, such as roads, water- treatment facilities and drainage control. n Minimizes direct, new disturbance to environmental resources and sensitive habitats, such as jurisdictional waters of the U.S.

n Considers future closure and reclamation as part of design and operations

n Designs and constructs the TDF to be technically feasible and environmentally sound Greens Creek has used a dry-stack tailings disposal technique from its beginning in 1988. Dry stacking eliminates the need for embankment and a slurry pond and reduced the initial tailings footprint. The mine requested TDF expansions in 2001 and 2010 as exploration activity identified additional resources. In both cases, the U.S. Forest Service employed the NEPA process to review the extensions, and in both cases, determined the existing site continued to be the appropriate and most environmentally sensitive place for TDF expansion. Greens Creek is a major economic and philanthropic pillar in Southeast Alaska. It is Juneau’s largest taxpayer and largest private-sector employer. It helps support more than 50 nonprofits in the Juneau area, including the Pathways to Mining program at the University of Alaska Southeast. Recently, Hecla Mining Company, through its Charitable Foundation, committed up to $125,000 in financial assistance to support

PROTECTING OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE

Usibelli Coal Mine produces more than one million tons of coal every year, helping energize Interior Alaska. Yet our most precious resource isn’t coal—it’s the people who mine it. We’ve worked hard to keep our employees safe, and the results are gratifying.

Employees surpassed their all- time safety record in April 2019 and by the end of the year, worked more than 1,000 days without a lost time accident. Our employees are committed to excellence in mining, and in practicing everyday safety—at work, at home and at play.

Photo Courtesy Hecla Greens Creek

JUNEAU — Hecla Greens Creek mine has filed an amendment to its General Plan of Operations to expand its Tailing Disposal Facility (TDF) by approximately 13.7 acres. The expansion is primarily inside the existing U.S. Forest Service lease area and will allow mine operations to continue past 2031, when the current facility is expected be full. “This amendment culminates years of careful planning to develop a plan that minimizes impacts on Admiralty Island National Monument and the fish-bearing sections of Tributary Creek,” said Greens Creek VP and General Manager Brian Erickson. “We believe our proposed plan maximizes disposal volume and minimizes new disturbance.”

The filing sets off a formal process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which begins with publication of a notice of intent (NOI) in the Federal Register. The NOI describes the proposed scoping process, including meetings and how the public can get involved, along with consultations with tribes. Hecla’s proposed plan: n Avoids new Monument disturbance outside the existing U.S. Forest Service-approved Greens Creek Lease Boundary n Avoids direct disturbance to fish-bearing reaches of Tributary Creek

WWW.USIBELLI.COM

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

Our flexibility and dedication have enabled us to become a top provider for the heavy civil construction and resource development industries. MOVING THE EARTH

NRC ALASKA is now US ECOLOGY

Same Alaska-based environmental experts bringing you the quality local service you expect... now with even more resources and capabilities to support your needs. 907-258-1558 usecology.com nrcc.com

RESPECTING OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT

• Mine Development and Infrastructure • Earth Moving • Liner Installation and Welding • Roads, Dams and Bridge Construction

• Shotcrete and Slurry • Structural Steel • Concrete Structures and Foundations • HDPE Piping

Ambler Metals is an independently operated company owned equally by Trilogy Metals Inc. & South32 Limited

Learn more at www.amblermetals.com

ak-gravel.com • (907) 746-4505

SAMPLE ARCHIVE SYSTEM, INC. A Better Way to Handle and Store Your Samples • A proven concept in handling core • Provides a more compact, cost effective, weatherproof method of storing • Constructed of rugged, durable, UV-resistant black high

ALASKA MINERALS INC. 8121 SCHOON STREET ANCHORAGE, AK 99518

Office: 907.522.3366 Mobile: 907.223.9452 Mike@AlaskaMineralsInc.com CAMP SERVICES • Full service turnkey camp rentals • Heavy duty Weatherport tents •

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.

density polyethylene (HDPE) • Constructed for easy shipping

PRODUCTS SALES •

Fully equipped kitchen & dining ◦ Homestyle cooking & catering Wash tents with showers & laundry Sleeper tents with beds & heaters Personnel Support ◦ Camp laborers ◦ Payroll services ◦ Workers Comp Insurance ◦ Liability Insurance iDirect Satellite Internet & Phone ATV, UTV & Snowmobile Rentals

Baroid Drilling Products Extreme Products - Drilling Additives Heavy Duty Waxed Core Boxes Wooden Core Boxes Johnson PVC Pipe & Screen Monoflex PVC & U-Packs Manhole Covers & Protective Cases Target Silica Sand

• • •

•

• • • • •

• •

Let us help plan and supply your next exploration project from start to finish! We have nearly 40 years working in Alaska and over 50 years in the mining industry.

John C. Odden 907.434.0605 oddenco@gmail.com Lonnie A. Kuhl 907.322.8728 lakuhl@yahoo.com www.SampleArchiveSystem.com

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

VIRTUAL CONVENTION SCHEDULE

2020 ALASKA MINING: AT A GLANCE

We like gold diggers Supporting the Mining Industry in Alaska Since 1985

7AM

8AM 9AM 10AM 11AM 12PM 1PM 2PM 3PM 4PM 5PM

6PM 7-10PM

Monday

SHORT COURsE

AMA Board of

SHORT COUrsE

directors Meeting

Placer Mine Permitting

NOVEMBER

5:30 PM

1 pm - 5 pm

8 AM - 12 NOON

2nd

Tuesday

Technical Sessions

Elections Watch Party

Geoscience

Industry Overview

Hosted by AMA, AGC, & RDC

NOVEMBER

Investigations

& Policy Session

7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

3rd

9 am - 11 am

1 pm - 3 pm

Wednesday

Intermediate and

Early & Intermediate

Poster

Advanced Stage

Stage Exploration

NOVEMBER

Exploration Projects

Session

Projects

3:30 pm - 5 pm

1 pm - 3 pm

9 am - 11 am

4th

Thursday

Core Shack &

AMA & RDC

Mining

Elections Overview

CoHOSTED

Prospectors

a nd Policy Session

Operations

NOVEMBER

Breakfast

Tent

7:30 AM

9 am - 11 am

3:30 pm - 5 pm

akbizmag.com

1 pm - 3 pm

5th

courtesy of

Whether you need geophysical, geological or exploration support services, our ideas, experience and northern expertise mean you’ll have the best thinking on your project. Go ahead – pick our brains.

P INDUSTRY-LEADING CUSTOMER SERVICE P 24/7/365 ONLINE PARTS ORDERING P BROADEST PRODUCT LINE YOUR MINING PARTNER

yellowknife • whitehorse • juneau

•

SALES

PARTS

SERVICE

northlandwood.com

ANCHORAGE 907.786.7500 FAIRBANKS 907.452.7251

DUTCH HARBOR 907.581.1367 JUNEAU 907.789.0181

PRUDHOE BAY 907.659.9600 WASILLA 907.352.3400

www.aurorageosciences.com

November 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org

www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I November 2020

Page 1 Page 2-3 Page 4-5 Page 6-7 Page 8-9 Page 10-11 Page 12-13 Page 14-15 Page 16-17 Page 18-19 Page 20-21 Page 22-23 Page 24-25 Page 26-27 Page 28-29 Page 30-31 Page 32

www.alaskaminers.org

Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease