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.
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November 2021 Volume 49, Number 11
Journal of the Alaska Miners Association
Alaska’s Mining and Petroleum Training Service (MAPTS) has adapted to financial and pandemic challenges, continuing its mission of training new miners and oil field workers. Read more on Page 6.
MAPTS Breaking New Ground
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A Message from the Executive Director
Dear Alaska Miners, Members, Supporters and Friends: In early November, we launched the 2021 Durability Project and I have been completely overwhelmed by your support. After we cancelled last year’s Convention, I was humbled to the point
Thank you to the companies, organizations and individuals who have already supported the Durability Project. See the full list on Page 22.
individuals that have stepped up to support us in continuing the mission. If nothing else, COVID-19 has spurred us to become more creative, and this project is proof of that. The last 19 months have sent us all through an obstacle course. Along with the pandemic, we saw a change in Federal Administration and new punitive policies that have had many of you saying “We need AMA now more than ever!” We hear your call to action. Our board, committees, staff, and members have all worked so tirelessly
of tearing up a few times when you all reached out to us asking how you could help. We then thought we were in a one-time situation and deployed our Sustaining Sponsors campaign, with a goal in mind along the lines of “getting through to next year.” Contributions closed the budget gap and allowed AMA to continue working on our
mission and planning 2021 events with normalcy in mind. Once again, we find ourselves reaching out to you, hat in hand, asking for you to consider a 2021 donation to AMA to keep our efforts going. Let me introduce you to the Durability Project. Durability: du·ra·bil·i·ty noun the ability to withstand wear, pressure, or damage that is a relative term indicating the degree of permanency. What could better describe an Alaska miner? This new fundraising effort is our attempt to fully fund our advocacy and outreach efforts while providing value to the membership. It’s important to us that every donor be recognized in some way for continuing to support the organization during the second year of cancelled events. While we know the value you most seek from AMA is our work on your behalf, this year we want to do more to recognize the companies and
in the past year to ensure we remain represented. Thank you in advance for your help in keeping AMA strong and, well, durable as we head into another challenging year. AMA is better for your support. Moving forward into 2022, our events future is uncertain. We take seriously the desire of our members to gather, learn, and advocate together. The reality is that any kind of long-range planning is extremely problematic, if not impossible, right now. Despite that, our work is more important than ever, and must soldier on without interruption. Thank you,
Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director
Executive Board Bill Jeffress, President SRK Consulting, Anchorage Bartly Kleven, First Vice President Kinross-Fort Knox, Fairbanks Lorali Simon, Second Vice President Kim Aasand, Treasurer Aasand & Glore LLC, Anchorage
Branch Chairmen Ted Hawley, Anchorage Lorali Simon, Denali Mark Huffington, Fairbanks
The Alaska Miner is the official journal of the Alaska Miners Association, published eight times a year exclusively to our members.
It is published in partnership with the Alaska Miners Association by Fireweed Strategies LLC, 4849 Potter Crest Circle, Anchorage, AK 99516.
Liz Cornejo, Haines Jim Clark, Juneau
We actively seek contributions from our members and the mining industry. Please email story ideas and photos to Lee Leschper. Advertising Rates and New Tips For advertising information, or to submit news, story ideas and photos, call or email Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com Alaska Miners Association Staff Deantha Skibinski, Executive Director Jennifer Luiten, Membership and Fundraising Director Darlene Strickland, Bookkeeper/Membership
Houston Morris, Kenai Blake Bogart, Nome Andrew Spokely, Ketchikan/Prince of Wales
Committee Chairmen Kevin Adler, Convention
Follow us anytime: Online at AlaskaMiners.org Like us on Facebook at Alaska Miners Association Follow us on Twitter @alaskaminers
Howard Grey and JP Tangen, Federal Oversight Mike Satre and Lorali Simon, State Oversight
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DIGGING INTO 2021 ADVOCACY WORK The Big Picture 54 letters, testimony, editorials, other written communications 45 presentations, media interviews, public engagements 255 policymaker and stakeholder meetings ON THE FEDERAL FRONT
ON THE STATE SIDE State policy positions Elections Watch & analysis
Annual adoption of federal policy positions Working with a new Congress and a new president Linking President Biden’s green goals to need for minerals Mining Law Reform Clean Water Act advocacy U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program changes Led on the Roadless Rule Exemption Evaluation of DOI 30x30 lands conservation initiative Clean Water Act advocacy BLM land planning Toxics Release Inventory Engagement on Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act bill
New & existing legislator briefings
Technical comments on
COVID-19 mining issues CACFA testimony & advocacy
SB155 technical comments
DNR water regulations
Engagement w/ Alaska Minerals Commission
DEC Triennial Review comments
AMA IN THE COMMUNITY
WHERE TO FIND US
Quarterly Alaska Miner magazine and monthly journal | McKinley Research’s Annual Economic Benefits of Alaska’s Mining Industry | Annual AMA member Handbook and Service Directory | AMA website updates | Active Facebook and Twitter accounts | Management of “click to comment” tool
Mining Day at Southeast Alaska State, Tanana Valley, and Alaska State Fairs | Western States Mining Coordinating Council | Nome Community and Central Mining District | Minexpo convention | Many more…
ALASKAMINERS.ORG
MAPTS Adopts ‘Mining Creative’ to Overcome, Expand Training
Photos Courtesy MAPTS Alaska’s Mining and Petroleum Training Service (MAPTS) has helped train multiple generations of miners for the rigors and expectations that come with pursuing a career in the industry.
By Lee Leschper For 40 years Alaska’s Mining and Petroleum Training Service (MAPTS) program has been training Alaskans to work for our mining, oil and gas producers. Now MAPTS is using creativity and new partnerships to weather budget challenges and break new ground worldwide. MAPTS is assisting Greenland in a project funded by the US Department of State. MAPTS will train students and staff from KTI Råstofskolen, Sisimiut, Greenland, at its mine training facility outside Delta Junction. Conversely, MAPTS staff will travel to Greenland to provide expertise on building and operating an underground mine training facility, developing curriculum, and training a local group of trainers for Greenland’s expanding minerals sector. MAPTS was chosen as a subrecipient because of its results in operating a hands-on training facility and its success in developing a mining workforce indigenous to its arctic region. Bill Bieber, Executive Director of MAPTS, says the partnership builds on the program’s unique skills and approach to hands-on training. “We are not training students, but are training their trainers, and help them design their training facility and curriculum. And teach them how to teach underground entry level miners.” The Greenland instructors will go through the regular
28-day MAPTS program. “They have a lot of precious metals and minerals to develop there, including rare earth minerals,” Bieber said. “What they don’t have is any mining experience. Most of their experience has been on environmental compliance.” Interestingly, former UAF mining professor Rajive Ganguli, now at the University of Utah, was instrumental
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Mining Program Trains About 1,400 Students in an Average Year
in including MAPTS in the partnership. “Rajive and I go way back,” Bieber chuckled.
part of it, but all the mines themselves have numbers of open positions, and can’t get applicants to apply. Our last class we had two students for six positons!” “We’ve also been approached by Nevada gold mines, a group of mines from Barrick and Newmont merged in Nevada. They’re coming up and reviewing our program, because they want to use us to learn how to develop their own in-house training. They want to come up and learn how we teach. “We are really the only ones in the world that do what we do.” Although we usually talk about the training MAPTS does for mining, they are also the leading school for oil field workers as well. “Our whole Anchorage office is based on oil field compliance training. We do a lot of the MSHA training for Alaska.” Across all programs and divisions, MAPTS trains about 1,400 students in an average year, he said. To learn more about MAPTS, look online at the MAPTS website at www.mapts.alaska.edu. Here is also an excellent video that describes the program: www.alaska.net/~mapts/videos/MAPTS2018.m4v.
The partnership is just one way that MAPTS has adapted to financial and pandemic challenges, to continue its core mission of training new miners and oil field workers in Alaska. “We endured some serious budget cuts, 35 percent last year,” Bieber said. “We had to make it up somehow, so we reach out to do different things to offset costs. “For example, we still train a lot for Canada (mining companies), which provides revenue to train Alaskans. What I’m so proud of is our ability to do mine training, purchase facilities, build and stock those facilities, and do it without any additional state funds. We’ve been able to do that with grants and contracts.” The Greenland project is almost done the first year of the three year contract. “With Covid, a lot of the travel was put on the back burner until this year,” Bieber said. “The Greenland trainers will be coming in soon, with four or five trainers to start.” The other big challenge MAPTS is dealing with is finding more students to join the mining industry, he said. “Our student numbers are still way down. COVID is a
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Alaska Stands to Benefit With Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
pending in Congress through a process known as budget reconciliation. That bill must stand on its own merits and is not included in our advocacy efforts. The IIJA, however, is. Roads, bridges, passenger rail systems, transit systems, water and energy infrastructure, broadband, airports, and ports are on the list for planned improvements should the smaller, more narrowly tailored IIJA bill pass. Is there anyone in Alaska who doesn’t think we could use an injection of cash to improve the items on that list? Think of the major infrastructure challenges faced by the state. The Port of Alaska is crumbling and in urgent need of major repair. Many rural communities still lack running water and sewer. In Alaska, 25 percent of the roads have been designated as in poor or mediocre condition. These realities cost all of us. Any Alaskan who has survived potholes and frost heaves during breakup can attest to the fact that our roads desperately need improvement. What specifically is in the IIJA for Alaskans? If passed, it would provide a $350 billion investment in the nation’s roads and bridges, of which Alaska would receive more than $3.8 billion in long term funding over the next five years. The IIJA also includes a one-time
Editor’s Note: This op-ed was submitted to statewide media outlets By Alicia Siira, Rebecca Logan, Marleanna Hall, Kati Capozzi, Deantha Skibinski, Renee Limoge Reeve, Tessa Axelson and Joe Michel The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Alaska’s infrastructure and economy and highlights the strong work our congressional delegation has done to advocate for Alaska families, workers and communities. Our diverse organizations keep Alaskans working by ensuring opportunities exist to develop our state’s natural resource industries, including oil, mining, timber, seafood, tourism, transportation and construction. Add up all the families and jobs we represent, and you are looking at the heart and soul of Alaska’s economy. We support passage of the bipartisan IIJA, and appreciate the work Sens. Lisa Murkowski, Dan Sullivan and Congressman Don Young have made to move it forward. It is important to note this piece of legislation funds physical infrastructure that keeps our state and country moving — it is separate from the much larger, more controversial $3.5 trillion “human infrastructure” bill also
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builders, whose work is often delayed by lawsuits. Economic growth will occur as our economy becomes more efficient, with new and improved infrastructure making it less costly for businesses to operate while making workers more productive. As business efficiency and worker productivity improve, so will wages. In summary, we commend the Alaska delegation for their support of the bipartisan physical infrastructure bill and their efforts to advance it in Congress. Investing in Alaska’s infrastructure is critical to our economic recovery, prosperity and quality of life. The longer Congress delays passage of this critical bipartisan legislation, the more our roads, bridges, highways and energy infrastructure will suffer. The unacceptable result is higher costs for every Alaskan. Let’s not waste more time but improve Alaska’s infrastructure now. Alicia Siira serves as executive director of Associated General Contractors of Alaska. Rebecca Logan is the CEO of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance. Marleanna Hall is executive director of Resource Development Council for Alaska. Kati Capozzi is president and CEO of the Alaska Chamber; Deantha Skibinski is executive director of the Alaska Miners Association. Renee Limoge Reeve is Vice President of Government and Community Relations at Cruise Lines International Association Alaska. Tessa Axelson is executive director of the Alaska Forest Association. Joe Michel is executive director of the Alaska Trucking Association.
spend of at least $225 million for repairing and rebuilding Alaska’s bridges. Think about how far those dollars could go in getting Alaska caught up on its deferred maintenance list. The bill also makes historic investments in broadband build-out for our state. infrastructure bill is paid for and makes new investments without raising taxes on American families or businesses. Additionally, these dollars are designated for spending that will boost our economy with jobs, long-term economic development and advancing American competitiveness in energy and critical mineral development. It gets better. We, like many Alaskans, are wary of increased government spending. However, this physical The IIJA brings big new investment while also cutting job- killing red tape. Multiple provisions within the legislation reform the environmental review and permitting process, including what is known as “One Federal Decision.” The IIJA makes One Federal Decision, one of former President Trump’s executive orders, permanent. It holds federal agencies accountable and requires timelines and page limits on large environmental documents. It makes other reforms, like making the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council permanent. This is the group created to improve the timeliness, predictability and transparency of federal environmental reviews and authorization process for certain infrastructure projects. In today’s litigation-rich environment, such improvements offer welcome relief to
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Alaska Enters WOTUS Court Battle, Again
To fight what he considers federal overreach, Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy Oct. 25 announced that Attorney General Treg Taylor has joined in an amicus brief calling on the high court to clarify WOTUS. “As the federal government moves to increase control over Alaskans by expansively defining WOTUS, it’s more important than ever to fight to preserve our autonomy,” said Dunleavy. Under an Obama-era rule finalized in 2015, WOTUS would have been expanded to include anything that remotely resembled a stream – a bed, bank, and ordinary high-water mark – even arroyos and other gullies where water only flows during infrequent heavy rainfall events. Nearby waters, including wetlands and other watery features within 1,500 feet of navigable waters and sometimes such features within 4,000 feet of high tide or high-water mark of a stream, also would have been covered under the rule. Even if a small portion of one of these neighboring wet features falls within the guidelines, the entire area is subject to “significant nexus” analysis under the new WOTUS rule, which could extend Clean Water Act authority over the entire area, even if it is not connected
By Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News Alaska once again finds itself joining other states in asking the U.S. Supreme Court to rein in a broadened definition of “waters of the United States,” or WOTUS, a federal environmental rule that could significantly impact the management of private and public property across the Last Frontier. WOTUS has been a concern for Alaska and many other states since the Obama Administration set out to broaden the definition of U.S. waters in 2014, a move that would significantly expand the geographic scope of federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act. This transfer of authority away from states is especially profound for Alaska, which already hosts 175 million acres of wetlands, or roughly 43 percent of the state’s surface area. With a broader definition of U.S. waters, much larger swaths of Alaska would fall under federal control and the burdensome regulatory requirements that come with that. Mining, road construction, pipeline and utility installations, commercial, and even residential construction would be affected by an expanded WOTUS definition.
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Rule Could Significantly Impact Management of Private, Public Property
to downstream waters. For Alaska — with by far America’s largest coastline and wetlands inventory, along with plentiful rivers, streams, and rivulets — this redefining of U.S. waters would have resulted in vast swaths of state-regulated lands falling under the federal Clean Water Act and the regulatory agencies that administer it. This 2015 definition, however, was never fully implemented due to federal courts blocking it until a lawsuit brought by nearly 90 parties, including 32 states, was resolved. Almost immediately after taking office, former President Trump signed an order to undo his predecessor’s WOTUS rule. Upon signing the executive order to roll back WOTUS, Trump called the rule a “massive power grab” by the EPA. Trump’s order culminated in the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, which included a more traditional definition of waters of the U.S. — seas, lakes, rivers, ponds and wetlands. Now, the Biden Administration has instructed the U.S. Environmental Agency and Army Corps of Engineers to again broaden the definition of WOTUS “to better protect
our nation’s vital water resources.” “We are committed to establishing a durable definition of ‘waters of the United States’ based on Supreme Court precedent and drawing from the lessons learned from the current and previous regulations, as well as input from a wide array of stakeholders, so we can better protect our nation’s waters, foster economic growth, and support thriving communities,” said EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “Make no mistake, the ability of Alaskans to harvest timber, develop oil and gas, mine the critical minerals needed for national security, and the ability to farm and hunt are in danger with this announcement,” the Alaska governor wrote in June. “It would be less insulting to the state of Alaska if the Biden EPA came out transparently with its intent to turn our land into a national park under the management of rangers.” Alaska has joined 20 other states in asking U.S. Supreme Court justices to reject the Arizona district court’s ruling in the Sackett v. EPA case that once again expands EPA authority to any waters that have a significant nexus to navigable waters currently regulated under the Clean Water Act.
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Elections Matter! Support the AMA Political Action Committee
The Alaska Miners Association Political Action Committee (AMAPAC) works to elect pro-mining members to the Alaska State Legislature. As the chair of AMAPAC, I ask you to join me in helping protect our way of life as miners, business people, environmental stewards and Alaskans. It has never been more clear that elections matter.
41 Individuals Donated to AMAPAC (10 were AMA Board Members) The Legislature’s attitude toward mining will change for the worse or for the better, depending on mining-friendly lawmakers being elected next year. Please help us support candidates that support us. Individual contributions of up to $1,500 per calendar year can be made to AMAPAC. You can donate directly at our website at: alaskaminers.org/take-action or you can mail a check to: AMAPAC 21 W. Fireweed Lane, Suite 120 Anchorage, AK 99503 Thank you for your help to ensure a stable regulatory environment for Alaska’s miners. — Lorali Simon, Treasurer, AMAPAC
In past years, multiple pieces of legislation attacking miners and burdening our businesses were attempted, and thankfully, with
Lorali and Ulu
advocacy from AMA and strong leaders in the legislature, none were successful. AMAPAC made a significant impact in last year’s election cycle: $15,650 Contributed to 26 Candidates (23 Republicans and 3 Democrats)
In-Person AMAPAC Fundraiser 4-7 p.m. Nov. 29, Bell’s Nursery, 13700 Specking Ave., Anchorage
While our consultants are grounded, your surveys can still take ight. Keeping up the momentum. .com
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Red Dog Mine Details Zinc Output
primarily to lower mill throughput and recoveries due to unplanned maintenance. The mill at Red Dog processed 1.02 million metric tons of ore during the third quarter averaging 14.3% zinc and 4.5% lead, compared to 1.09 metric tons of ore averaging 14.3% zinc and 4% lead during the same period of 2020. This year’s third quarter zinc recoveries were 80.9%, compared to 84.5% last year. Likewise, lead recoveries were 53.5%, compared to 60.8% last year. The Red Dog shipping season, which got underway on July 19 following delays due to weather and ice conditions, is expected to be completed by early November. Despite significant weather-related shipping delays in July and August, Teck expects to ship all zinc concentrates from Red Dog during the current shipping season. Teck continues to anticipate that Red Dog will produce between 510,000 and 530,000 metric tons (1.12 billion and 1.17 billion pounds) of zinc and between 90,000 and 100,000 metric tons (198.4 million and 220.5 million pounds) of lead during 2021.
By Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News Teck Resources Ltd. has reported that the Red Dog Mine produced 378,000 metric tons (833.3 million pounds) of zinc during the first months of 2021, a roughly 10% increase over the 344,600 metric tons (759.7 million pounds) of the galvanizing metal produced at the midway point of 2020. Likewise, the Northwest Alaska mine produced 78,700 metric tons (173.5 million pounds) of lead during the three quarters of 2021, an 11% increase over the 71,100 metric tons (156.7 million pounds) produced during the same period last year. Red Dog’s third quarter zinc production, however, was down compared to both the previous quarter and the same period of 2020. During the third quarter of this year, the Alaska operation produced 118,000 metric tons (260.1 million pounds) of zinc, which is a 16% drop from the 140,300 metric tons (309.3 million pounds) produced during the second quarter and down 11% from the 132,300 metric tons (291.7 million pounds) produced during the third quarter of 2020. Teck attributes this decrease in zinc production
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SUPPORT FAIR PROCESSES FOR ALASKA PERMITTING
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NMA Opposes Proposed Changes to Federal Mining Law
for electric vehicles, batteries and advanced energy technologies. Mining companies already pay close to 40 percent of earnings in federal, state and local taxes and fees. Coupled with the inefficient and costly permitting timeframes that exist in the U.S., adding additional, outsized fees onto new and existing operations would push the U.S. out of the globally competitive range, deterring investors. We need to encourage more domestic production for everything from infrastructure reinvestment to the electric vehicle revolution. As Jim Farley, President and CEO of Ford Motor Co. put it, “So are we going to import lithium and pull cobalt from nation-states that have child labor and all sorts of corruption or all we going to get serious about mining?” We have made our position clear that America’s mining industry is open to compromise on royalties. But the budget reconciliation package is not the vehicle for doing so. Visit NMA’S “Take Action” page to have your voice heard in favor of compromise and supporting American industry.
By Rich Nolan, President and CEO, National Mining Association Congress is considering proposals to impose excessive taxes and fees that threaten the viability of investments in domestic mining, weakening U.S. supply chains while strengthening China’s market position. The National Mining Association (NMA) recently testified in a Senate hearing to examine proposed changes to the Mining Law. The NMA’s Katie Sweeney, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, appeared before the Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee to detail the extent to which punitive taxes and fees would harm domestic production of minerals deemed critical to our national security, energy transition and economic stability. “For existing operations, a new gross royalty that was never accounted for in the mine plan of operation would erase profitability, potentially leading to an early mine closure. If the new, punitive gross royalty and dirt tax proposals are allowed to continue, no amount of permitting reforms will make the U.S. an attractive investment jurisdiction.” To be in favor of such counterproductive legislation signals a fundamental misunderstanding of the U.S. minerals mining industry and the current state of our supply chains. Domestic hardrock minerals mining is a capital-intensive industry, with high financial risk, and is different from other extractive industries like oil and gas in two main ways. Geologic differences Oil and gas are fluid minerals that occur in well- defined basins that once drilled, have a high likelihood of success with little disturbance to the surface. In contrast, hardrock minerals are more complex geologically and are often dispersed and require extensive exploration to define a producible deposit. Extraction differences Once a producible deposit of minerals is located, a huge investment is required to build the mine and process the mineral. Unlike oil and gas, the amount of processable material produced is often a small fraction of the material moved. That processable material must then go through numerous steps to produce a salable product. For this reason, imposing a gross royalty on minerals mining companies would crush the industry at the exact time it’s needed most. Demand for a wide range of minerals, from copper and lithium to nickel and cobalt is going vertical to feed supply chains
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Disinfectant Aids Fight of COVID-19, Other Viruses
By Mining.com University of Central Florida researchers are using an engineered nanostructure called cerium oxide modified with small amounts of silver to produce a disinfectant that can kill viruses on a surface for up to seven days. Cerium oxide is known for its regenerative antioxidant properties. Thus, it could be a powerful weapon against COVID-19 and other emerging pathogenic viruses. The disinfectant is being created at UCF in partnership with Kismet Technologies, whose founder, Christina Drake, said she was inspired to develop it after seeing a worker at a grocery store spraying disinfectant on a refrigerator handle, then wiping off the spray immediately. The cerium oxide nanoparticles are modified with small amounts of silver to make them more potent. “Initially, my thought was to develop a fast-acting disinfectant,” Drake said in a media statement. “But we spoke to consumers — like doctors and dentists — to find out what they really wanted from a disinfectant. What mattered the most to them was something long-lasting that would continue to disinfect high-touch areas like door handles and floors long after application.”
• Geotechnical Site Investigation • Offshore Drilling Specialists • Gravel, Placer Exploration • Large Diameter Bulk Sampling • Grouting, Anchoring & Piling • Wireline Coring NQ3 to PQ3 • Wireline CPT & Vane Testing • In-Situ Testing & Instruments • Heli-portable Drilling Systems • Sonic Capability • 3” to 24” Water Wells • Ground Improvement • Wide Range of Equipment • Highly Experienced Staff Anchorage, Alaska Ph: (907) 522-8263 Fx: (907) 522-8262 HGrey@Foundex.com Abbotsford BC Canada Ph: (604) 594-8333 www.Foundex.com
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.
OIL & GAS CONSTRUCTION SERVICES | MINING CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE | POWERPLANT CONSTRUCTION | PIPELINE CONSTRUCTION | REMOTE VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE | TELECOMMUNICATIONS | DESIGN BUILD & EPC | GENERAL CONTRACTING & MANAGEMENT | PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT & STAFFING
Commitment to Safety & Quality | Anchorage | Kenai | Deadhorse | www.conamco.com | 907-278-6600
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AMA Durability Project
Sponsors (as of press time)
Thank you to these companies, organizations and individuals who have pledged their support to AMA’s Durability Project!
Your contributions are invaluable in helping to ensure the future success of AMA’s mission and outreach.
HARD HAT HEROES
CONTANGO ORE Inc. Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company
Soloy Helicopters, LLC Usibelli Coal Mine
CORE SUPPORTERS
Northern Star (Pogo) LLC Oxford Assaying & Refining Corp Ruen Drilling, Inc. Taiga Mining Company Teck Alaska Red Dog Operations
Coeur Alaska-Kensington Mine Donlin Gold LLC HighGold Mining Ltd Kinross Alaska NANA
BLAST BUDDIES
ACZ Laboratories Alaska Aggregate Products , LLC Alaska Land Status Avalon Development Corp Boreal Environmental Services Borell Consulting Services LLC ConocoPhillips Constantine Mining, LLC Core Geoscience LLC David Heatwole Denali Industrial Supply, Inc DGI Geoscience US Inc. Doyon, Limited Fairweather, LLC Frontier Supply GeoMetallica H2T Mine Engineering Services LLP HDR Larry Peterson
Lynden Matson Mining and Petroleum Training Service Motion & Flow Control Products Northrim Bank Orica USA Inc. Perkins Coie LLP Petro Marine Services Sandvik Mining and Rock Technology Sealaska Corporation Stantec Consulting Services Inc. Stoel Rives LLP
Surveyors Exchange Co TOTE Maritime Alaska Inc US Ecology Alaska, LLC
Weir Minerals North America Western Alaska Copper & Gold Zonge International Inc.
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November 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
TEMSCO
Serving all of Alaska since 1958 HELICOPTERS, INC.
TIMBER EXPLORATION MINING SURVEY CARGO OPERATIONS
TEMSCO Helicopters, Inc PO Box 5057 Ketchikan, Alaska 99901 Phone 907-225-5141 • fax 907-225-2340 • www.TemscoAir.com
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The 2021 Durability Project Moving Forward with AMA’s Mission
I’m in! I support AMA’s critical mission of advocating for Alaskans working in the mining industry. Donate $ Hard Hat Hero ($10,000 and above) Premier placement in all recognition materials on AMA website, social media, and publications Special Facebook recognition and profile on your company/operation/project 5-minute spotlight at an AMA Statewide zoom meeting to highlight your organization and support of AMA Organization-specific writeup in Alaska Miner Journal Core Supporter ($5,000 and above) Enhanced placement in all recognition materials on AMA website, social media, and publications Stand-out Facebook recognition of all Core Supporters Organization-specific writeup in Alaska Miner Journal Blast Buddy (Any amount under $ 5 ,000) Placement in all recognition materials on AMA website, social media, and publications CONTACT INFORMATION COMPANY: CONTACT NAME: ADDRESS: PHONE: EMAIL:
METHOD OF PAYMENT
INVOICE ME
Mailing address (if different than above):
CHECK Check Number: CREDIT CARD Card Number: Expiration Date:
Security Code/CID:
Billing Address (if different than above):
Signature:
Date:
Submit this form with your company logo to jennifer@alaskaminers.org
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November 2021 I The Alaska Miner I www.alaskaminers.org
ANCIENT MAMMOTH TUSKS Non-profit museum in Ohio is seeking donations of mammoth tusks and tusk sections.
Our flexibility and dedication have enabled us to become a top provider for the heavy civil construction and resource development industries. MOVING THE EARTH
Individuals and corporate donors receive full tax deductions for value of their donated tusks. www.warther.org david @ warther.org ( 330 ) 852-6096
• 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
ak-gravel.com • (907) 746-4505
ALASKA MINERALS INC. 8121 SCHOON STREET ANCHORAGE, AK 99518
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
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
density polyethylene (HDPE) • Constructed for easy shipping
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
• • •
•
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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
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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
WE SHARE MINING NEWS since 1985
akbizmag.com
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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. Advanced Supply Chain International LLC AECOM Ahtna Inc. AIDEA Alaska Aggregate Products LLC Alaska Airlines Alaska Business IBEW Local 1547 Idaho Mining Association Industrial Pumps of Alaska
Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada RAM Enterprise, Inc. Ravn Alaska 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. SLR International Corporation 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 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. Ucore Rare Metals Inc. University Redi-Mix US Ecology Alaska, LLC Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. Utah Mining Association Visit Anchorage Weir Minerals Wells Fargo Bank Alaska Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company Western Pacific Crane & Equipment
Colaska Colorado Mining Association Columbia River Carbonates Commonwealth North, Inc. CONAM Construction Company ConocoPhillips Alaska Inc. 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 Cruise Lines International Alaska Cryopeak LNG Solutions Cummins Sales & Service Dawson City Chamber of Commerce Delta Constructors Delta Industrial Services Inc. Denali Industrial Supply Inc. DGI Geoscience US Donlin Gold LLC Dorsey & Whitney LLP DOWL 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 Freegold Ventures Ltd Frontier Supply Company GCI Business General Refining Corporation Geosyntec Consultants Geotemps Inc. Global Physical Asset Management, Inc. 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. Haines Development, Inc. HDR Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Heliostar Metals HighGold Mining Ltd Holland America Line - Princess Cruises Hy-Tech Drilling USA Ltd. Hyak Mining Company
Institute of Northern Engineering International Directional Services Ipop LLC ISCO Industries JCM Industries Inc. Juneau Economic Development Council Just Refiners USA, Inc. Kinross Alaska Klondike Placer Miners’ Association Knight Piesold & Company Koza Ltd USA Inc Lignite Energy Council Lynden M-W Drilling, Inc Madison Lumber & Hardware Inc. Mascott Equipment Company Matson McKinley Research Group
Alaska Coastal Aggregates LLC Alaska Commercial Fishing & Agricultural Bank Alaska Forest Association Alaska Frontier Constructors Inc. Alaska Industrial Hardware Inc Alaska Oil and Gas Association 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. 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. Blackwolf Copper & Gold Ltd. Bobcat of Juneau Boreal Environmental Services 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 Coeur Alaska - Kensington Mine
Metco Alaska LLC MFCP/Jackovich Millrock Resources Inc.
Mitsubishi Materials USA Corp Montana Mining Association Motion Industries, Inc. NANA National Mining Association Nevada Mining Association New Mexico Mining Association NISS NMS 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 Peggy Petroleum Products Perkins Coie LLP Petro Marine Services PND Engineers Inc. PolarX Limited Property Rights Foundation of America, Inc.
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.
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New and Renewing Members
Thank you to all the AMA corporate and individual members who joined or renewed their membership to the association in August and September. You make AMA possible! Corporations AECOM Alaska Airlines Alaska Oil and Gas Association Boreal Environmental Services Coeur Alaska - Kensington Mine Columbia River Carbonates Delta Constructors Koza Ltd USA Inc Lynden NMS Peggy Petroleum Products Operator Craig C. Coggins Kim & Kirsty Ferguson Sam & Roberta Koppenberg Sam Maxwell Frank Zylstra Professional Samuel Anderson Chris Kennedy Arnie Lausted Doug Myers Glenn P Ruckhaus Larry Buzzell & Sue Chasen Karen H. & Steve Clautice Harry Colborn Mike Comer Bill Craig
PolarX Limited Redpath USA Corporation Rotak Helicopter Services Ryan Air Inc. Sundance Mining Group Western Alaska Copper & Gold Company
Individual Donald B & Lois Abel Nathan Andrews Brad & Jessie Badger Gordon L & Susan Bartel Darcy Buchanan Joseph Burick William J (Bill) Burnett
Darsie Culbeck Jeff B & Peggy Darling Richard DeLong Doug Devine John Diumenti Kirby Donald Alice Ellingson Duane & Phyllis Ellingson Robert C. Emerson Mehmet Evran
Michael Baker Douglas Cook Thomas C. & Elizabeth Crafford Judith Daniels Brian R Erickson Peter Frantz Natalie King & Jeff Kase
Freegold Ventures Ltd Global Physical Asset Management, Inc. Heliostar Metals Holland America Line - Princess Cruises JCM Industries Inc.
Rachel Bylsma Aaron Calhoon Jason Carlson
Arctic engineering and environmental services.
RESPECTING OUR PEOPLE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT
Ambler Metals is an independently operated company owned equally by Trilogy Metals Inc. & South32 Limited
Learn more at www.amblermetals.com
We help mines thrive.
Follow Alaska Miners Association on Twitter: @AlaskaMiners
Victor Ross (907) 352-7809
victor.ross@stantec.com Steve Reidsma, PWS (907) 450-1425 steve.reidsma@stantec.com
And on Facebook: AlaskaMiners
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