Executive Director’s Report
House and Senate to ensure our story is heard. Please be sure they also hear from you. Our leaders in Juneau will have their own set of chal- lenges trying to fill our state’s financial shortfall. And the Dunleavy Administration will be doing both the state challenges, plus ensuring it pushes back on the federal barricades to growing Alaska’s economy. It is comforting that the our lawmakers, even with dramatic changes in both the Alaska House and Senate, continue to understand the critical role mining plays in Alaska. We hope in their search for ways to fill the current financial gap that they keep that in mind. We are encouraged that a measure gaining support already would end the way ballot initiatives have disrupted our state’s attention for decades. One of the challenges of publishing a robust, statewide magazine like The Alaska Miner is the lead time necessary from planning to final delivery in your mailbox or inbox via email — especially when the world literally changes every day, with yet a new set of challenges. We have started anew with this issue a couple of times, especially trying to keep ahead of the new federal challenges! But know it is part of our dedication to keep you informed, as well as ed- ucation decisionmakers outside our industry about the key issues we face, that will affect all Alaskans. December’s tragic landslide that struck Haines brought home again how precious every moment is, how fragile life is and how indomitably strong is our mining communi- ty. Many of our members live and work in Haines or have family and friends there. And they pitched in before the rain stopped, providing immediate relief, muscle, finances, and support for our neighbors. Elsewhere in this magazine you will read more about what happened, how it happened and what is next. It will be years before Haines returns to something approaching normal and we can all pitch in to help. Believe it or not, there is still good news. The price for minerals remains near historic highs, which adds financial viability to everything we do. And the need for critical minerals has never been greater. Several key projects — our word for dreams and plans and visions that may someday become producing mines — are making great progress. And our existing mines are finding new resources and improving technology to add decades to their productive lives — ensuring good paying jobs and a contribution to the Alaska economy. Finally, thanks for your continued and fierce support for our association and the work we do. It would be easy with our distancing and financial challenges to take a step back. But more than ever, our role and the potential risks for Alaska miners, if we fail, are vast. It is humbling to know especially in these trying times that you have got our back! Thank you!
Dear Alaska Miners:
What a difference a year makes. A year ago, we were seeing some of the greatest opti- mism in Alaska mining in decades. Today, optimism has moved to caution to trepidation as the new Biden administration has moved aggressively to reverse or second guess every rule we have lived with for the past four years. While we anticipated a different environment outlook on resource development with this administration compared to the last, the shift has been both abrupt and alarming. The list is too long for space here, but the overarching message is the Biden administration intends to obstruct or stop most resource development in Alaska. Suffice it to say that when a new president’s very first act is closing ANWR once again, we are in for a bumpy ride. But, we have been here before. More than any time in recent years, we will rely on our Alaska congressional delegation to lead the way in the
Deantha Skibinski AMA Executive Director
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The Alaska Miner
Winter 2021
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