mineral production and process- ing, which is key for companies like Ucore and Graphite One. It also makes modest permitting reforms, provides for workforce devel- opment, supports R&D for new refining methods, and promotes recycling and alternatives for the minerals that we lack. Our timing could not be better. The National Academy of Scienc- es tell us that more than 25,000 pounds of minerals are needed per person, per year, in the U.S. to make the items we use for ba- sic human needs, infrastructure, energy, transportation, communi- cations, and defense. Our foreign dependence already runs deep, with the U.S. importing at least 50% of its supply of 46 different minerals in 2019, including 100% of 17 of them. And groups like the World Bank — hardly known for their promotion of mining — are warn- ing that mineral demand is set to skyrocket as renewables, electric vehicles, and other emerging tech- nologies grow in use. As a result of our work with the Trump administration, Alas- ka stands ready to help meet this surge in demand. We have a world- class mineral base and are on the verge of new development across our state. To name a few, the re- cent approval of the Ambler Ac-
cess Project will help open up that district, Donlin is cleared to move forward, and updates and revisions to the Fortymile and other Resource Management Plans will unlock similar opportunities. The enactment of my American Mineral Security Act has been a long time coming. I introduced the first version of it nearly a decade ago and held no fewer than nine hearings on it while serving as the lead Republican on the Sen- ate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee. We have more work to do, par- ticularly on permitting, but more in Congress are finally starting to recognize the value of mining and minerals. That is great news for Alaska’s future, and the mining industry’s critical role within it. Sen. Murkowski is Alaska’s senior U.S. Senator and outgoing chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee
PROTECTING OUR MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCE
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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.
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Winter 2021
The Alaska Miner
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