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.
February 2020 Volume 48, Number 2
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
Gov. Mike Dunleavy made a large Alaska presence at the annual Mining Roundup in Vancouver, devoting a full day and Alaska Night to assuring international mining companies that Alaska is eager for more mining development. See more inside on Pages 12-13.
Alaska Night at Roundup 2020
REDUCE FUEL CONSUMPTION BY 8 % * OUR IRON WILL WAS TO
SO YOUR IRON WILL BE EVEN MORE EFFICIENT.
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
*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
A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Members, As some of you may know, for several years, Alaska’s miners have encountered significant problems with our existing law on mineral tenure, Title 38 of the Alaska Land Act, Article 8, Mining Rights. I’m excited to say we are finally making progress toward resolving these problems with Sen. Click Bishop’s introduction of Senate Bill 155, an Act relating to exploration and mining rights. Placer miners and large commercial operators have experienced receiving notices of abandoned claims arising from unclear statutory language regarding affidavits of labor and locator qualification requirements. Some miners have spent thousands of dollars attempting to resolve issues with DNR or competing claimants that arise due to vague laws and regulations about what is required to maintain mining claims. Some have even lost their state mining claims from simply making a minor mistake or clerical error on forms or from confusion and different interpretations of the law. AMA has worked with DNR for more than four years on these issues. This bill is a product of hours and hours of collaboration and deliberation between industry and agency, and attention by Sen. Bishop, a miner himself. All parties have worked hard to develop a solution that will streamline administrative processes, reduce conflicts between miners and reduce conflicts between miners and DNR. SB155 does: 1. Update types of entities (LLCs, trusts, etc) that can hold claims and provide curative mechanism for qualification defects. 2. Clarify that a MTRSC location establishes mineral rights to all land open and available within the location. This is the interpretation that has worked effectively for both industry and the state for 20 years. 3. Resolve issues with Annual Labor
Monroe, Greg Beischer and I provided extensive testimony on the impact to miners and described personal experiences. You can watch that hearing and track all aspects of this bill on the Legislative bill monitoring website BASIS. Simply visit www.akleg.gov and enter SB155 in the search bar at the top. Please note that this was the first hearing of SB155 in its first Committee. There will no doubt be changes to this bill, some of which have been suggested by the AMA working group of the State Oversight Committee, as it moves through the legislative process. We ask that claim holders remain engaged in this issue (with our help). We would encourage you to submit letters in support and provide testimony when we prompt you, via AMA Action Alerts by email, social media, and at our local branch meetings. Personal stories help to educate all Alaskans on this highly technical and critical issue. The next hearing for this bill will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14th in Senate Resources. You can provide your thoughts in advance by emailing the Senate Resources Committee, and sharing them with the AMA office to ensure your voice is heard. In the hearing Feb. 5, Senate Resources Chair Peter Micciche said, “Well to me, this sounds like a fairness issue.” We couldn’t agree more. We’re going to keep working hard to ensure this bill gets the attention it deserves to resolve these longstanding and unacceptable issues. Please let me know how I can help you better understand and be engaged in this process to ensure our success. Many thanks,
including: i. Puts labor affidavit requirements clearly in statute ii. Requires DNR to first send a notice of an opportunity to cure clerical errors prior to sending a notice of abandonment. This includes notification to claim holder provision and 90 days in which claim holder can correct any errors iii. Updates list of examples for qualifying work and provides that cash payment can be made for no more than five years 4. Provide more certainty to improve opportunity to convert to state claims. SB155 does not: 1. Impose more work to state agencies, including DNR 2. Impose more work on miners 3. Regulate environmental aspects of mining operations SB155 was heard for the first time in the Senate Resources Committee on Feb. 5. Sen. Bishop and his staff provided a superb overview of the mining claims staking structure in Alaska and the existing issues. In addition, Karl Hanneman, Ramona
Deantha Crockett Executive Director
Executive Board Bill Jeffress, President SRK Consulting, Anchorage Barkley Kleven, First Vice President Kinross-Fort Knox, Fairbanks Kim Aasand, Treasurer Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Lorali Simon, Denali Mark Huffington, Fairbanks
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Steve Grabacki, Fisheries Meg Smith, HR/Workforce Development Paul Glavinovich, State Oversight Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
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
Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau
On The Cover: Gov. Mike Dunleavy, Dennis McDowell and Deantha Crockett at Alaska Night at Roundup 2020.
Houston Morris, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
3
Donlin passes another key milestone
The Alaska Department of Natural Resources has approved the right-of-way for Donlin Mine key gas pipeline which will power the future mine northeast of Bethel. The right of way is a key next step for the po- tentially huge gold mine. The Department of Natural Resources will lease the right of way for 30 years, about the same term as the expected lifetime of the gold mine. The pipeline would begin near Cook Inlet and stretch more than 300 miles through the Alas- ka Range, ending near Crooked Creek. The pipeline will provide an environmentally safe way to transport natural gas to power a 220 megawatt power plant that will provide elec- tricity for the mine.
Donlin has received a right-of-way permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the pipe- line. In January, it received state permits to create an airstrip and port, as well as installing fiber optic cable for communications. These are the latest in a series of many permits the project must receive before opening what would be one of the largest gold mines in the world. It is expected to employ thousands of workers both during construction and opera- tion. The complete decision is online at: dog.dnr. alaska.gov/Document/55BAFAFD099E4D- FCBDB64376AE7BEC29/1-17-2020__Don- lin_Final_Decision? For more on the Donlin Mine including regular updates, see: DonlinGold.com.
“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,
Vice President & Chief of Staff, The Kuskokwim Corporation
To learn more, visit us at donlingold.com
4
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
PROUDLY PROVIDING ALASKA with underground, surface and helicopter supported core drilling for mineral exploration and geotechnical work.
800-322-3201 • office@ruendrilling.com ruendrilling.com
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
5
Loeffler offering Mining 101 for Valentine’s Day
Bob Loeffler is teaching his popular Mining 101 Course on Feb. 14 at the Alaska Forum on the Environment. The forum is free Friday, so there is no charge. The course will be 9 a.m to 4 p.m. at the Dena’ina Center, in the Kahtnu No.1 room on the second floor. This one-day course, which Loeffler has given many times, provides an overview of the min- ing industry, especially as it exists in Alaska. The course will provide attendees with an un- derstanding of the exploration and develop- ment process, environmental issues, industry economics, the permitting process and public issues. The course is designed for those who may one day work in the industry, those who are inter- ested in natural resource and environmental policies that surround mining or those who are interested in the issues of the day. Participants may receive a certificate of completion for con-
tinuing education at the end of the course. Loeffler, Research Pro- fessor of Public Policy Institute of Social and Economic Research University of Alaska An- chorage, has more than 35 years of government, management and natural resources experience,
including seven years as director of the Alaska Division of Mining, Land and Water. He has a master’s degree in Environmental Engineering (Stanford University) and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning (Harvard University). While pre-registration is not required, the forum would prefer you register, even for free at: web. cvent.com/event/adfcae9b-5bb2-4f29-ac22- f277d222e27d/regProcessStep1
Alaska’s #1 Local Refiner
Highest payouts with the fastest turnaround times. Come see the difference! gbarefining.com
Helping mines thrive.
NOME 303 Front St. 764-4367 FAIRBANKS 915 30th Ave. Unit 111 479-4653 EAGLE RIVER 11000 Old Glenn Hwy. Unit 103 694-7100
Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 450-1425 steve.reidsma@stantec.com Victor Ross (907) 352-7809 victor.ross@stantec.com
Changing the way business is done in Alaska
6
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
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
TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc. PO Box 5057, Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Phone 907-225-5141 Fax 907-225-2340 www.temscoair.com
In Business Since 1988
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
Roughstock Mining Services Steve Cutler-General Manager 4671 Shandalyn Lane Bozeman, Montana 59718 406-580-7016 www.roughstockmining.com
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
7
Mining added to Fast-41 permitting
FAST-41, including the extraction of coal, oil shale, oil, gas, and uranium. The new non-energy mining sector will allow the Permitting Council to add mining proj- ects for non-energy, saleable and critical minerals. FAST-41 does not supersede, amend, or modify any Federal statute, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), nor does it create a presumption that a covered project will be approved or favorably reviewed by any agency. FAST-41 is a voluntary process; project sponsors must opt-in and meet the requirements for inclusion. Under FAST-41, these projects can now include the development, expansion or reuse of a previously developed and extensively modified or contaminated property owned, leased, abandoned or managed by state, local or tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, or the private sector, including those within an Opportunity Zone, those receiving finan- cial assistance from a Qualified Opportunity Fund or those subject to federal, state, local or tribal cleanup programs or other similar revitalization efforts.
Federal authorities have added mining to the list of industries able to take advantage of Fast-41 expedit- ed permitting. The Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council (Permitting Council) voted in Jan- uary to add non-energy mining as a new covered infrastructure sector to increase access to a domes- tic source of minerals that are critical to the nation’s economy and security. “Today’s action by the Permitting Council furthers the President’s commitment to demystify and standard- ize an overly-complicated federal decision-making process. Citizens shouldn’t have to hire a consul- tant or have a PhD in science to understand how a project may affect their communities. This step will provide unprecedented transparency, predictability and accountability to the public, all while ensuring governors, mayors, local communities, tribes and the private sector always have a reliable Federal partner in Washington D.C.,” said Alexander H. Herrgott, Executive Director, Permitting Council. In 2015, with overwhelmingly bipartisan agreement, Congress included energy related mining under
Your Southeast Alaska Mine Supply Headquarters
Photo: Sandvik
Photo: Sandvik
www.tylerrental.com (907) 780-2210 Let’s Make it Happen!
Authorized Dealer
8
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Corporate Members
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. AECOM Ahtna Inc. AIDEA AIL Mining/Big R Bridge Alaska Aggregate Products LLC Alaska Airlines Alaska Business Coeur Alaska - Kensington Mine Colaska Colorado Mining Association Columbia River Carbonates CONAM Construction Company ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. Construction Machinery Industrial LLC Imdex Limited Industrial Pumps of Alaska
Redpath USA Corporation Remote Made Easy (PSSA) Remote Site Services Inc. Resolution Minerals Ltd Resource Development Council RISQ Consulting Rotak Helicopter Services Royal Gold Inc. Ruen Drilling Inc. Ryan Air Inc. Samson Tug & Barge Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology Satellite Technical Service
Institute of Northern Engineering International Directional Services International Flow IPOP LLC ISCO Juneau Economic Development Council Kinross - Fort Knox Klondike Placer Miners’ Association Knight Piesold & Company Liebherr USA, Co. Lignite Energy Council Lupine Enterprises Lynden Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Mascott Equipment Company Metco, Inc. MFCP/Jackovich Millrock Resources Inc. Montana Mining Association Motion Industries, Inc. N C Machinery Company NANA National EWP National Mining Association Nevada Mining Association New Mexico Mining Association North Star Terminal & Stevedore Co. LLC Northern Air Cargo Northern Industrial Training Northern Industrial Training, LLC Northern Sonic Drilling and Consulting Northern Star (Pogo) LLC Northrim Bank Northspan Drilling Ltd. Northwest Mine Supply Northwest Pump Nova Minerals Limited NovaGold Resources Inc. NRC Alaska LLC NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines Orica USA Inc. Oxford Assaying & Refining Pace Analytical Labs Pacific Rim Chemicals Pathfinder Aviation, LLC Pebble Limited Partnership Perkins Coie LLP Petro Marine Services Petro Star/Sourdough Fuel PND Engineers Inc. PolarX Limited Property Rights Foundation of America, Inc. Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada Quality Auto Parts
Consumer Energy Alliance Cook Inlet Region Inc. (CIRI) Craig Taylor Equipment Company Crowley Fuels LLC Cummins Sales & Service Davies Public Affairs Delta Industrial Services Inc. Delta Western Petroleum LLC (Haines) Delta Western Petroleum LLC (Juneau) Denali Industrial Supply Inc. Donlin Gold LLC Dorsey & Whitney LLP DOWL Doyon, Limited Eastern Oregon Mining Association Ecological Land Services Inc. Energy Laboratories Inc. Epiroc Equipment Source, Inc. ERM Alaska ESS Support Services Everts Air Cargo Exxon Mobil F.R. Bell & Associates, Inc. Fairweather LLC First Bank First National Bank Alaska Flanders Inc. (Electrical Services) Frontier Supply Company GCI Business General Refining Corporation Geotemps Inc. Global Equipment Services Gold Buyers of Alaska -dba:GBA Assaying & Refining Granite Construction Company Grant Lake Corporation Graymont Great Northwest Inc. Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce Ground Truth Americas Inc. HDR Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company HighGold Mining Ltd Holland America Line - Princess Cruises Hyak Mining Company Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association
Alaska Coastal Aggregates LLC Alaska Commercial Fishing & Agricultural Bank Alaska Forest Association Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. Alaska Gold Company, LLC Alaska Industrial Hardware Alaska Policy Forum Alaska Power & Telephone Company Alaska Pump & Supply Inc. - A DXP Company Alaska Railroad Corporation Alaska Resource Education Alaska Rock Products Association Alaska Roteq Alaska State Chamber of Commerce Alaska Trucking Association American Exploration & Mining Association American Land Rights Association Anchorage Chamber of Commerce Anchorage Sand & Gravel Inc. Arcticom LLC, a BSNC Company Arizona Mining Association Aspen Hotels of Alaska Assoc For Mineral Exploration BC Associated General Contractors of Alaska Aurora Geosciences (Alaska) Ltd. Automatic Welding & Supply Avidian Gold Corporation AVTEC - Alaska Vocational Technical Center Bald Mountain Air Service Beacon Occupational Health and 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 BC Chugach Alaska Corporation City of Ketchikan Coastal Helicopters Safety Services, Inc. Big Ray’s Alaska Inc.
Sealaska Corporation SGS North America Inc. Shoreside Petroleum Inc. Siemens Industry, Inc.
Sitnasuak Native Corporation Skookum Development, Inc. Smithco Manufacturing Society For Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration Soloy Helicopters LLC Sophie Station Suites - Fountainhead Hotels Sound Quarry 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. Teck Alaska Inc. - Red Dog Temsco Helicopters Inc. TerraSond Ltd The Alaska Support Industry Alliance The Silver Institute TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc. Tower Hill Mines Inc. - Livengood Project Trilogy Metals, Inc. Tyler Rental Inc. University Redi-Mix Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Utah Mining Association Visit Anchorage Waste Management National Services Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Western Pacific Crane & Equipment White Rock Minerals Ltd. Wolseley Industrial Group Women’s Mining Coalition World Trade Center Alaska Wyoming Mining Association Yukon Chamber of Mines Zonge International Inc.
Not yet a member of the Alaska Miners Association? Or have not yet renewed your membership for 2019? Renew today so you don’t miss a single issue of The Alaska Miner or this year’s 2019 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.
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
9
We like gold diggers Supporting the Mining Industry in Alaska Since 1985
akbizmag.com
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.
yellowknife • whitehorse • juneau
northlandwood.com
www.aurorageosciences.com
10
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Cordilleran Tectonics workshop set for Anchorage
The 2020 Cordilleran Tectonics Workshop will be held Feb. 21-23 in Anchorage. The sorkshop provides a casual technical forum to present and discuss new ideas and research on any and all aspects related to the assembly and geological evolution of the North American Cordillera. Students are strongly encouraged to attend and present, as are university, government or industry researchers and practitioners. There will be an Icebreaker reception Friday evening, Feb. 21 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at 49th State Brewing Company (717 West 3rd Ave.) in downtown Anchorage. The meeting will take place Feb. 22-23 in At- wood Center Rasmuson Hall (4455 University Drive) on the Alaska Pacific University in mid- town. For more information and to register: cordillerantectonics.com
AMA IS ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER? IT’S TRUE! Just follow & like us to stay up-to-date on all latest mining in Alaska!
twitter.com/AlaskaMiners facebook.com/AlaskaMiners
YOUR MINING PARTNER
Industry leading Customer Service 24/7/365 Parts Ordering Broadest Product Line
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.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
11
Alaska Night at Roundup 2020
THANK YOU to our sponsors for making Alaska Night a huge success: Alaska Earth Sciences, Inc. Alaska Land Exploration Alaska Minerals Inc Aurora Resource Exploration LLC
Hope Mining Company Inc. Horst Expediting & Remote Operations Hyak Mining Company JP Tangen Attorney At Law,(P.C.) Just Refiners USA, Inc. MES Mining Millrock Resources Mining & Petroleum Training Service NANA Northern Sonic Drilling & Consulting NOVA GOLD On-Line Exploration Owl Ridge Natural Resource Consultants PolarX Limited
Ruen Drilling SRK Consulting (US) Inc Stantec Stevens Exploration Management Corp Stoel Rives LLP Taiga Mining Company, Inc. Techline Alaska Tower HIll Mines, LTD. Travis/Peterson Environmental Trilogy Metals Inc. Tubutulik Mining Co. LLC Tundra Consulting Tuuq Drilling, LLC Usibelli Coal Mine Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company Yukuskokon Professional Services Zonge International Inc.
Avalon Development BGC Engineering, Inc. Calista Corporation Chulitna Mining Co LLC Coastal Helicopters
Couer Alaska - Kensington Mine Constantine Metal Resources Foundex Pacific Inc Geotemps, Inc. Graphite One H.J. Noyes & Associates, Inc. H2T Mine Engineering Services LLP Hawley Resource Group/Mines Trust Co. Hecla Mining Company Highgold Mining Inc.
Red Diamond Mining Corp. Remote Site Services Inc. Resolution Minerals LTD. Roughstock Mining Services
LEFT: Gov, Mike Dunleavy and Haines branch chair Liz Cornejo ABOVE: Stoel Rives LLP, Ramona Monroe and Willa Perlmutter
12
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Alaska Night at Roundup 2020
AMA Executive Director Deantha Crockett with Curt Freeman, Darwin Green and Jason Brune.
Gov. Mike Dunleavy was a popular guest.
AMA Corporate Silver members, Resolution Minerals Ltd., Duncan Chessell and Christine Lawley with Millrock Resources, Greg Beischer.
Phil Baker and Lorali Simon
Ben Porterfield, Bill Burnett, and Nick Enos
JP Tangen, Bill Burnett and Ivan Clark
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
13
Thank you to our current Trade Show Vendors: JOIN THE 2020 FAIRBANKS CONFERENCE NEXT GENERATION : THE FUTURE Thank you to our current Conference Sponsors:
• ACZ Laboratories, Inc. • Alaska Aggregate Products, LLC • Alaska Business • Alaska Dreams, Inc. • Alaska Industrial Hardware • Alaska Minerals Inc. • Alaska Railroad • Alaska Resource Education • Alaska Satellite Internet • Alaska Steel Co. • Alaskan Gun Guard, LLC • Black Gold Express, Inc. • Brenntag Pacific, Inc. • Builders Choice Modular, LLC • C & R Pipe and Steel, Inc. • Camp Water Industries LLC • Clarion Hotel and Suites • CONAM Construction Company • Construction Machinery Industrial, LLC • Crowley Fuels • Delta Mining Services, LLC • Delta P Pump • Delta Western LLC dba Inlet Energy
GOLD Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Kinross-Fort Knox Northern Star Resources Usibelli Coal Mine, Inc. COPPER Alaska Aggregate Products, LLC Alaska Business Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine CONAM Construction Company Northrim Bank SRK Consulting Trilogy Metals US COAL Denali Industrial Supply Inc Mining and Petroleum Training Service TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc.
• Denali Industrial Supply Inc • DXP Alaska Pump & Supply • Elemetal Direct
• Energy Laboratories Inc. • Equipment Source, Inc. • Flanders Inc • Frontier Supply • General Refining Corporation • GES - Global Equipment Services Inc. • GF Urecon / ISCO - AH McElroy • Gold Buyers of Alaska: GBA Assaying & Refining • Golder Associates Inc. • Green Star of Interior Alaska • Heritage Rock & Services • Kinross-Fort Knox • Lynden • Mascott Equipment Company • Millrock Resources Inc. • Orica Alaska • Oxford Assaying & Refining Corp • Pro-Seal Service Group • Sample Archive System, Inc. • SRK Consulting • State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Division of Mining, Land & Water • State of Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys • Techline Alaska • TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc. • TTT Environmental, LLC • Willowstick Technologies • Wolseley Industrial Group/Ferguson Enterprises
ALASKA MINERS
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A VENDOR OR SPONSOR?
Contact: jennifer@ alaskaminers.org
New and Renewing Members
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association in November and December. You make AMA possible! Corporations Alaska Business HighGold Mining Ltd Satellite Technical Service Taiga Mining Company Inc. Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Individuals Tammy Oswald & Kevin Greenfield Jerome & Stephanie Birch Michelle Deal Jeffrey Eitzmann Brian Flanigan Paul & Jacqui Glavinovich Bill Graham Alan E. Renshaw Justin Seavey John Shank Karl Shibe Lorali Simon Richard Sivils Roger Speer Joseph Stepovich
Joe Usibelli Jr. Charles W. Bell Louise Grady Harold Whittlesy Kris Alvarez Jorge G. Azpilcueta Bert Bamford Craig Biers Ben Birch
Dale Henkins Lisa Herbert Colin Keith Samuel Kilfoyle Raymond & Vicke Kukowski Alex Legrismith Mike Mark-Anthony Kevin Mayo Kevin McKinley
Mike Talerico Ethan Trickey J. Kristina Walcott Fred Wallis Glen Weaver David Whitmire Brian Youngs Ben Ziegman Montana Murphy Richard Stickle
Operator Larry Wilmarth
Professional Ron Alleva Bridget Eckhardt Tony Phillips
Jason Bressler Robert Brown Michael & Emmalu Busby Matthew Calantas
Drew Miller Matt Nelson
Calvin Carlson Ryan Cooper Tom Corbett
Harold J. Noyes Yoram Palkovitch Dale Preston
2020 AMA MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT CHALLENGE
Recruit new members to AMA in 2020 and enter for a chance to win 2 round-trip tickets on Alaska Airlines. For more information visit alaskaminers.org
16
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Padgett outlines active year for BLM
The Bureau of Land Management has a busy 2020 planned in Alaska, according to BLM Alaska director Chad Padgett. Talking to AMA members at the Anchorage chapter meeting Jan. 31, Padgett said new activity on the North Slope is getting lots of attention, including the Environmental Impact Statement to open up oil exploration in ANWR. Of particular interest to miners, work is continuing on the Ambler Road EIS, which demands a review of public comments. He has personally read more than 2,500 on the project, he said, looking for potential roadblocks down the road. Responses to those comments might be complete by March, with issu- ance of a Record of Decision soon thereafter, he said. That’s the nature of managing complex projects through the process, he added. “We expect 1.4 million comments on ANWR, and it takes time to do it right,” he said. Looking for po-
tential future legal challenges, based on flaws in the process, is essential, he said. Navigability and access to Alaska waterways is also a priority, he said, but there Bureau is still awaiting guidance on how to apply the Sturgeon Supreme Court decision to Alaska waterways. The Bureau is adding more adjudicators to work specifically on that, he added.
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
We thrive on challenges
golder.com
Legal Counsel - AK
1972 - 4 Years of Excellence
J.P. Tangen Attorney at Law (P.C.) P.O. Box 297 Hansville, WA 98340
• Wireline Coring NQ3 to PQ3 • Wireline CPT & Vane Testing • In-Situ Testing & Instruments • +HOL3RUWDEOH'ULOOLQJ6\VWHPV • :LGH5DQJHRI(TXLSPHQW • +LJKO\([SHULHQFHG6WDϝ • 6RQLF&DSDELOLW\
• Geotechnical Site Investigations • 2ϝVKRUH'ULOOLQJ6SHFLDOLVWV • *UDYHO3ODFHU([SORUDWLRQ • /DUJH'LDPHWHU%XON6DPSOLQJ • Grouting, Anchoring & Piling • 3" to 24" Water Wells • *URXQG,PSURYHPHQW
(907) 222-3985 • Toll Free (877) 414-3985 jpt@jptangen.com • www.jptangen.com
Anchorage, AK | 907-522-8263 | E: Hgrey@Foundex.com www.foundex.com Surrey BC Canada | 604-594-8333
www.alaskaminers.org I The Alaska Miner I February 2020
17
Alaska Mining Calendar
Alaska Earth Sciences Comprehensive Geologic Services
FEBRUARY 10-14 22nd Annual Alaska Forum on the Environment, Dena’ina Center, Anchorage. FEBRUARY 11 AMA Legislative Reception with Associated General Contractors, Alaska Trucking Association, 5-7 p.m., Baranof Hotel, Juneau MARCH 20 Meet Alaska 2020. Annual Meeting of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance. “Getting Alaska Minerals to Market” program track. Dena’Ina Center, Anchorage, AlaskaAlliance. com. MARCH 30-APRIL 4 2020 Biennial AMA Conference & Trade Show. “Next Generation: The Future.” Carlson Center, Fairbanks, Alaska MAY 28 Alaska Oil and Gas Association Annual Conference, Dena’ina Center, Anchorage. Aoga.org. AMA Branch Meetings
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.
Alaska Earth Sciences Comprehensive Geologic Services
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.
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.
11401 Olive Lane, Anchorage, Alaska p 907-522-4664 www.alaskaearthsciences.com
Coastal Helicopters Juneau, Alaska
www.coastalhelicopters.com
Anchorage Every Friday 7 a.m. at Peanut Farm (old side) Fairbanks Every Friday 7 a.m. at Westmark Hotel Juneau Every Friday 7 a.m. at Prospector Hotel
Haines Every Friday 7 a.m. at Bamboo Room Kenai Every Friday 7 a.m. at Louie’s Restaurant Nome First Friday of each month noon at Polar Cafe
Available statewide
Construction Exploration Contract
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
Flats Vans
Support Charter operations@coastalhelicopters.com 907-789-5600
Rainer Equipment Inc. 2552 Steese Hwy. Fairbanks, AK 99712 PHONE (907) 457-8109 FAX (907) 457-2014
Mining Salvage and Reclamation
18
February 2020 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
Pebble Partnership submits final draft of mitigation plan
The Pebble Partnership submitted its final draft Compensatory Mitigation Plan to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for the wetlands im- pacts associated with its plan to develop a mine at the Pebble Deposit. The draft plan was posted to the USACE website Jan. 27. In accordance with standard practice, the project team first sought to avoid and minimize wetlands impacts associated with the project. For example, the project changed the design of the proposed port facility and modified road alignments and bridge de- signs to further avoid or minimize impacts to waters and wetlands. The next step was to undertake a watershed assess- ment to determine potential mitigation projects that would consider the needs of the watershed for ad- vancing and sustaining aquatic resource functions, such as the need for specific habitat restoration or water quality improvements. Following a compre- hensive review of the watershed, the project team has proposed three initiatives as part of the draft CMP. The first initiative is a water quality improve- ment plan focused on improving wastewater management systems in three communities adjacent to the project: Newhalen, Nondalton, and Kokhanok. The projects were identified and prioritized based on information provided in the Indian Health Service and Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium databases and from discussions with the Lake and Peninsula Bor- ough and affected communities. The second initiative is for the removal of salm- on passage barriers to rehabilitate up to 8.5 miles of salmon habitat. During the planning for this initiative, the project team worked with data provided by Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) personnel to identify potential fish passage improvement projects and align the plan’s objective with those of ADF&G’s Fish Passage Improvement Program. Fish passage improvement is one of the areas identified in the Memorandum of Agreement between the USACE and the Environmental Protection Agency as a potential avenue for Compensa- tory Mitigation. A key focus of the initiative is to rehabilitate stream habitat through the replace- ment of undersized or damaged culverts. The third initiative is focused on impacts in the Cook Inlet watershed and proposes to
rehabilitate 7.4 miles of coastal habitat in Kamishak Bay. This will be done by removing marine debris, which can include things like containers of waste oil and other contaminants, and nets and ropes that can 3201 C Street, Suite 505 Anchorage, AK 99503 www.pebblepartnership.com entangle wildlife, which has accumulated in large amounts on local beaches. The removal of debris will result in ecosys- tem service benefits to beach habitats in Kamishak Bay and the adjacent marine habitat currently used by marine wildlife. The next step in the process is for the USACE to review the final draft CMP and set the final mitiga- tion requirements needed for a permit to be issued for the Project. The proposed mitigation projects, should they be approved, would have to be com- pleted prior to undertaking construction of a mine. Details of the draft CMP can be reviewed via the USACE project website at pebbleprojecteis.com More at pebbleprojecteis.com/documents/library 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 •
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.
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.
ANCHORAGE ■ FAIRBANKS ■ NOME ■
www.oxfordmetals.com 1.800.693.6740 ALASKA’S ONLY LOCAL REFINER BUY : SELL : TRADE
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease