President’s Message From Bartly Kleven
We're Alaska strong, and we're here to stay
"The strength of our industry in Alaska has been built on rocks. The great rocks in our ground … Alaska does have great rocks. And the rock- solid people who go to work and mine those rocks every day. We are stronger together." W elcome back! And Rock On! Welcome to our first annual conven - tion in person in three years.
able to work. But it became immediately clear that mining is among Alaska’s most critical industries, supporting both our state’s economy and our min- ing families. And I am so proud of how you, every one of us, stepped up and went to work every day, mining the best we know. Then, as if the pandemic were not enough, the fall 2020 election brought in a radically different administration in Washington D.C., reversing four years of positive Federal support for Alaska min- ing. In 2021, we were not just treading water. While other industries were shut down or relying on Fed- eral support, we just rocked on. Despite a growing, cascading, relentless string of Federal assaults on our efforts. And our twin challenge, of producing more of the minerals that America really needs, while having both hands tied behind our backs. It is a bit time-worn to say, but those challenges have made us stronger. We got through these tough times. We are back together and stronger than ever. The strength of our industry in Alaska has been built on rocks. The great rocks in our ground … Alaska does have great rocks. And the rock-solid people who go to work and mine those rocks every day. We are stronger together. I will not kid you. We have big challenges before us. But we can do this! Rock on Alaska!
For many of us, it is impossible to separate what is the Alaska Miners Association with what is our traditional annual conventions. Convention is hardly the right word. What this week represents is far more. It is family reunion, really good business, branding who we are to outsiders, adventure, education, networking, and a whole lot of friends and fun. It is one of the biggest, best events of any kind in Alaska each year. And it is all ours. But this is also our chance to plant our flag in the ground, stick out our chests and proudly de- clare “We are Alaska miners! We are Alaska strong! And we are here to stay!” We chose “Rock On!” for this year’s convention theme because it reflects who we are and what we are. We have had to stay the course through three of the most challenging years in the history of our state. It is a little intimidating to look back. In 2019, we were just coming up from several tough years of low mineral prices that hurt explorers as well as existing operations, and there was a lot to be optimistic about. Then the pandemic hit. At first, we were not even sure we would be
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The Alaska Miner
Fall 2022
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