THE ALASKA MINER MAGAZINE: Our magazine is published quarterly and delivered to both the members of the Alaska Miners Association and to key decision-makers and leaders in Alaska and beyond. Our goal is to educate, advocate, and lead our industry as one of the strongest, oldest, and most productive corporate citizens in Alaska. AMA’s mission is to promote responsible mineral development in Alaska. We provide key communication between our members, the industry, and policymakers in and out of Alaska. Each issue includes news and information important to our industry and our constituents.
Summer 2022 Volume 50, Number 7 AlaskaMiners.org
Leading the Charge Alaska mines, new projects can lead American energy transition
INSIDE THIS ISSUE n Member Profiles: The Strength of AMA n Power of Mining: Economic Update 2022 n Convention 2022: See You in Anchorage n Supreme Court: Limiting Overreach
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Executive Director’s Report
offshore mining “vessels” pouring into the commu - nity at that time. I laugh remembering we had to teach some new miners from Oregon how to cook crab correctly. I still bother Bill on the regular today, and I dearly wish I could do the same with Paul. As you know, he passed this spring, leaving a legend be -
Dear AMA Members and Friends,
Time truly does fly when you’re having fun. I blinked, and suddenly Jennifer tells me that June 1 is my 10th anniversary at AMA. I remember my first days and months. While I had literally grown up in a family working in Alaska resource industries, this was a new world entirely, and I look back and laugh that I was too naïve to realize I had NO IDEA what I was doing. But you all knew it, and you welcomed me with open arms, encouragement, and countless hours of guidance from top experts in mining issues that make up the AMA membership. I remember just a month or two in, AMA had to address the foreign-to-me issue of “wetlands mit - igation.” Jerry Birch and Kevin Greenfield came to the AMA office late on a Friday and essentially gave me a wetlands 101, patiently and thoroughly ex - plained. My own research on this would have taken weeks and I would probably still have required the same amount of someone’s time. A month in, Steve Borell and I climbed into his 172 and we went to nine mining camps in 10 days, from Southwest Alaska up to Nome and back. We slept in miner’s guest rooms and ate at their break - fast tables and were given private, in-depth tours so that I could better understand placer mining opera - tions. My first session in Juneau was surprisingly not intimidating — because I had the most respected and gentlemanly Paul Richards, who spent hours with me making introductions and giving me pearls of wisdom that stay with me today. I will will forev - er be grateful for the experience Paul gave to me. There were more than a few harebrained ideas you let me run with. I can clearly see the amuse - ment on James Fueg’s face when we proposed changing the Association logo (and I assure you that was a once in a lifetime experience). I remember Kevin Adler and Steve Teller being behind our Con - vention move to the Dena’ina Center even though they knew it would be a giant challenge. Instead of saying, “yeah have fun with that!” you all encour - aged ideas and supported the Association through the discomfort of change, which is never easy. I can remember just hopping in the car for my first trip to Chicken, just Alicia Amberg and I and a loaned sat phone. We were welcomed in by the For - tymile Mining District Board, the Busby family, and Robin Hammond as if we had been friends for years. The first trip to Nome was similar: Paul Glavi - novich, Bill Jeffress, and I were picked up at the airport, given a car, and drove all over touring the
hind of an acting curmudgeon who truly loved us all. I remember buying him a gavel to use during Com - mittee meetings that amused him greatly, but as you might imagine, he never had to use it. He seldom wasted words or praise but meant every one. This column has served as an enjoyable trip down memory lane, and I wish I had more space to share more memories. No part of this decade has been more important or inspiring than working with amazing people. There are no more genuine, hardworking, fun-loving, and dedicated people than Alaska miners, and that includes the amazing staff. While the faces have occasionally changed, the dedication has remained constant. Darlene Strickland preceded me by five years and has been a steadfast supporter of us all. During the majori - ty of her employment at AMA, Jennifer Luiten has been the only other full-time staffer and has served in dozens of roles to ensure our success. And I take special pride in those like Alicia Amberg who start - ed with us and is now leading the Associated Gen - eral Contractors in Alaska. This job is not easy, but it is not hard, either. There are very tough times, but they are made easier by the support and companionship from you. With every hurdle, I am able to focus on how our efforts can help an individual miner keep living their hard-earned dream, or a large mine keep em - ploying hundreds of people who rely on their stable wages to provide for their families. It is hard to put into words, but it is all of you that make this job so rewarding. The last 10 years have been a gift, from you to me. Thank you for the privilege.
Deantha Skibinski AMA Executive Director
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ON THE COVER: Rae Keim, here underground at Coeur's Kensington Mine, is the mine's new Technical Services Manager. Photo courtesy Coeur Alaska ON THIS PAGE: Paige Lambert and Ryan Stahl are from KInross Alaska's Fort Knox environmental team, and both are environmental technicians. Photo courtesy Kinross Alaska
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 Executive
34 Mining’s Role in
Director’s Report
Energy Transition
4 Letter from
44 Mining Business and Service Directory 56 Durability Project 2022
Our President 10 Life of Service: Paul Glavinovich 20 Member Profiles 2022
The Alaska Miner is dedicated to those who work in and support the mining industry in Alaska, its commitment to the people, and resources of our state. Our magazine is published quarterly and delivered to both the members of the Alaska Miners Association and to key decision makers and leaders in Alaska and beyond. Our goal is to educate, advocate and lead our industry as one of the strongest, oldest and most productive corporate citizens in Alaska. AMA’s mission is to promote responsible mineral development in Alaska.
EDITORIAL CALENDAR
ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION STAFF
Fall 2022 Annual Anchorage Convention Winter 2022 Legislative and Season Preview
Executive Director
Deantha Skibinski Jennifer Luiten Darlene Strickland
Membership and Fundraising Director
Spring 2023 Project Updates Summer 2023 People in Mining
Bookkeeping and Membership
EXECUTIVE BOARD
BRANCH CHAIRMEN
Bartly Kleven President, Kinross Alaska, Fairbanks Lorali Simon First Vice President, Usibelli Coal Mine, Healy Blake Bogart Second Vice President, Graphite One Inc., Nome Kim Aasand Treasurer, Aasand & Glore LLC., Anchorage
Ted Hawley Anchorage Richard Sivils Denali Ken Hall Fairbanks Liz Cornejo Haines Jim Clark Juneau
Houston Morris Kenai Ken Hughes Nome Robert Fithian Ketchikan/
Prince of Wales
The Alaska Miner 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. For advertising information or news tips, call or email publisher Lee Leschper at 907-957-6025 or Lee.Leschper@FireweedStrategies.com.
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President’s Message From Bartly Kleven
Thank you for telling your stories of miners
"The same administration is pushing for a new green energy economy that is impossible without exactly the key minerals we have underground. That is why a robust and active AMA is more critical than ever." T his issue of The Alaska Miner (maybe we should call it YOUR Alaska Miner) is all about you … our members and Alaska’s
challenges and need for a strong AMA have never been larger. The challenges are real. For the near future, we can expect Federal challenges to our ability to develop Alaska re - sources and turn the resources we’ve found into producing mines. While the same administration is pushing for a new green energy economy that is impossible without exactly the key minerals we have underground. That is why a robust and active AMA is more critical than ever. One of the sad duties we also have is sharing the news of the passing of longtime friends and neighbors. In this issue you will read about Paul Glavinovich, our dear friend and Alaska mining legend, who died this spring. It is always hum - bling to see the vast impact and amazing lives people like Paul have had. We will miss him. On a very good final note, we are well along in planning our first traditional real in-person an - nual convention since 2019! We celebrated Mining Day in May with a wonderful full day of events in Fairbanks and saw once again how important meeting together in person is to each of you and us. Watch for updates from Deantha and Jenni - fer on plans for the convention Nov. 6-11. Please make plans now to join us. I hope it is a productive, enjoyable summer for you. Be safe out there and we will see you this fall!
miners. Each summer we take time to profile and rec - ognize many of the people, organizations and companies that are the lifeblood of our industry as well as the Alaska Miners Association. We have long talked about the need for us to do a better job telling our story, so Alaskans and pol - icy makers know us as hard-working profession - als and Alaska families and dedicated corporate citizens. This is one effort to put a face on Alaska mining, for those who do not know us as well as each other. In this issue, you will also find a detailed list - ing of our Durability Sponsors, who have played a key financial role in the past two years support - ing AMA and providing financial stability in our COVID-wracked economy. When we had to cancel traditional events in 2020 and 2021 — literally cutting off the financial foundation of our organi - zation — these sponsors stepped up and commit - ted their financial support to help us focus on the important work to be done. To each and every one of these sponsors, we say a hearty “Thank You!” And if you’ve yet to join this group of elite AMA partners, please con - sider doing so. While we continue to run a lean - er, more efficient association on your behalf, the
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Sign up and share the Alaska Miner The Alaska Miner is mailed statewide to Alaska business, government and Native leaders. Subscriptions are complimentary — to sign up just email address and contact information to admin@FireweedStrategies.com. And if you’re already receiving the Miner, sign up your team members and clients who also need to be reading the latest good news about Alaska mining!
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Thank You to Our Alaska Mining Day Sponsors!
Event Underwriter Alaska Airlines Construction Machinery Industrial LLC Felix Gold Hecla Greens Creek Mining Company Kinross Fort Knox NANA North of 60 Mining News Northern Star Resources Limited Oxford Assaying & Refining Corp. Reception Sponsor Contango Ore Inc. Donlin Gold Pebble Partnership Sandvik Mining and Rock Solutions
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January 2021
The Alaska Miner
In Memoriam: Paul Glavinovich
Service to others defined legendary Alaskan’s life Photos Courtesy Glavinovich Family Glavinovich was a past president and long-term board member of the Alaska Miners Association, where he served as Chairman of the State Oversight Committee for more than 25 years and was elected Director Emeritus.
Paul Glavinovich, a lifelong Alas - kan and leader in the Alaska Miners Association for many years, passed away peacefully at his Anchorage home on April 27, 2022. Paul spent nearly 60 years working in the mining industry. He was in - volved in exploration and develop - ment projects throughout North, South and Central America, as well as Western Europe.
Paul was born on August 19, 1939, in Nome, Alaska, to Marguerite and Carl Glavinovich. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, who trained and worked his beloved Labrador re - trievers as hunting dogs and received honors in field trial competitions. He also received high honors and awards with his German shepherds in sever - al fields including protection, track - ing and rescue. Paul was a longtime
member of Hundesport Alaska and volunteered his and his dogs’ services in several search and rescue efforts. Growing up in Nome, where his father was involved in gold dredging operations, Paul developed a passion for mining. He graduated from the University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Mines in 1961. Paul then served in the U.S. Army where he was a train - ing pilot. He flew both helicopters and
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fixed-wing aircraft, and attained the rank of First Lieutenant. After his military service, he worked with Pan America Pe - troleum Company, then returned to UAF and earned a Master’s Degree in 1967. While pursuing his Masters, he mapped Denali National Park on foot. He then worked for the USSR & M Com - pany in both Fairbanks and Salt Lake City. He left his position there as Assistant Chief Geologist to join Noranda Exploration in Anchorage in 1974. As Noranda’s District Geolo - gist for Alaska, Paul was a direct participant in the exploration and development of the Greens Creek Mine near Juneau. In 1982, he moved to Denver as Manager, U.S. Exploration for Noranda. He returned to Alaska in 1985 and established his own business as a minerals consultant and mine developer. Over the next several decades, he worked closely with Alaska Native corporations. Paul served 35 years as a board member of the Resource Develop -
ment Council, including a term as president of its statewide board. He was also a past president and long-term board member of the Alaska Miners Association, where he served as Chairman of the State Oversight Committee for more than 25 years and was elected Director Emeritus. Paul supported Alaska Re - source Education, and often pre - sented lessons in geology to stu - dents in the Anchorage School District. In 2010, Paul received the Alumni Achievement Award for Business & Professional Ex - cellence from UAF. Paul was preceded in death by his two sisters, Carolyn Nestvold and Ruth Glavinovich, as well as his son, Carl John Glavinovich. He is survived by his wife of 51 years Jacqui, daughter Mikel A. Glavinovich, granddaughter Zoe, grandson Ryder, and son-in-law Damian Want, as well as many extended family members, and of course his beloved dog Ida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
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Gov. Mike Dunleavy has appointed Akis Gialopsos acting commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. Akis has been very involved with AMA and Alaska mining for a number of years in previous roles and will be a welcome success to outgoing DNR Commissioner Corri Feige, who announced in June she was leaving the department to spend more Gialopsos named successor to Feige a g eme n t skills, and knowledge of resource development issues to run the depart - ment effectively,” Dunleavy said. AKIS GIALOPSOS He currently serves as deputy chief of staff and legislative director for Gover - nor Dunleavy. He was also chief of staff to the president of the Alaska State Senate during the 31st Alaska Legislature. Prior to that, he served as the committee aide to the Senate Resources Committee for the 29th and 30th Alaska Legislatures. Akis became acting commissioner ef - fective July 1. Dunleavy has also appointed Alaska Department of Environmental Conser - vation Commissioner Jason Brune to the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation’s Board of Trustees. Brune will replace out - going DNR Commissioner Corri Feige. Commissioner Brune is a past president of AMA and joined the Dunleavy Adminis - tration in December 2018. He has served in a variety of roles in both the public and private sectors. time with her family in the Lower 48. “I know from his time on my staff that Akis Gialop - sos has both the man -
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Summer 2022
The Alaska Miner
Supreme Court sets dramatic limit on EPA
In a decision that could begin a rollback of decades of Federal Over - reach in Alaska and the rest of the U.S., the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the Environmental Protec - tion Agency (EPA) has overstepped
its authority in limiting power plant emissions. The ruling has far larger implica - tions, going to the heart of how much power bureaucrats wield in setting rules not specifically authorized by
Congress. That power wielded by non-elected administrators has been the driving force of limits on mining and resource development in Alaska for more than a generation. The U.S. Supreme Court in June ruled that the EPA does not have the authority under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to enforce proposed power plant emission limitations in West Virginia v. EPA. The majority court ruling cited on the Major Ques - tions Doctrine; a doctrine that has never been used in a Supreme Court opinion. The final ruling was 6-3 on ideo - logical lines, the most dramatic demonstration yet of the long-last - ing impact that the new conservative justices appointed by Donald Trump will have on future decisions. According to Jurist.org, a source following the Court: “It allows for any deference to agencies’ interpre - tations of relevant legislation to be disregarded when a looming politi - cal concern is implicated in an agen - cy rule. The court interprets this to mean that “given both separation of powers principles and a practical un - derstanding of legislative intent, the agency must point to ‘clear congres - sional authorization’ for the authori - ty it claims.” Prior to this case, under the Obama Administration, the court stayed a graduated emissions “cap and trade” plan. Then under the Trump admin - istration, the plan was scrapped en - tirely, implementing a new rule based primarily on a state-to-state ap - proach. Finally, under the Biden ad - ministration, the EPA began crafting a new emissions rule, which did not go into effect. Several states and coal compa - nies sued to block another attempt at an emissions plan of the type under the Obama administration. The court granted certiorari on appeal, despite the fact that this is usually not done until a rule is in effect, and the Biden rule is not yet enforceable. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts concludes that
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the “EPA is generally limit - ed to determining the maxi - mum safe amount of covered pollutants in the air.” Justice Roberts goes on to say that “reflecting the ancillary na - ture of Section 111(d), EPA has used it only a handful of times since the enactment of the statute in 1970.” The Chief Justice also found that the EPA has not met the stric - tures of the Major Question Doctrine and has not shown that Congress specifically in - tended for section 111(d) to be used in this way. Justices Neil Gorsuch and Samuel Alito concurred, tak - ing the conclusions of the Court a step further, con - demning the larger approach to agencies and administra - tive law in the U.S., saying: “One of the Judicia - ry’s most solemn duties is to ensure that acts of Con - gress are applied in accor - dance with the Constitution in the cases that come before us. To help fulfill that duty, courts have developed cer -
tain “clear-statement” rules. These rules assume that, ab - sent a clear statement other - wise, Congress means for its laws to operate in congruence with the Constitution rath - er than test its bounds. In this way, these clear-state - ment rules help courts ‘act as faithful agents of the Consti - tution.” Justices Elena Kagan, So - nia Sotomayor, and Stephen Breyer dissented, saying, “[t] he majority claims it is just following precedent, but that is not so. The Court has nev - er even used the term ‘major questions doctrine’ before.” The dissent goes to say that “Section 111 of the Clean Air Act directs EPA to regulate stationary sources of any substance that ’causes, or contributes significantly to, air pollution’ and that ‘may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare.’ 42 U. S. C. §7411(b) (1)(A). Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases fit that description.”
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On June 1, Deantha Skibinski celebrated 10 years as AMA’s Executive Director. She celebrated with our current and past presidents, staff and mentors vital in her success at AMA. Her family was also in attendance and all spoke about Deantha’s decade of being a smiling, fierce leader who excels at bringing people together to stand up for Alaska mining against an ever- evolving set of challenges. Thank you, Deantha! And on July 10, Darlene Strickland celebrated 15 years at AMA. Darlene celebrated with lunch at her favorite Anchorage restaurant and some gifts thanking her for her service. Darlene is an instrumental part of AMA, managing not only membership and bookkeeping duties but keeping all aspects of the office running smoothly. Although all staff are mothers, Darlene is considered the “Office Mom” and the REAL boss. We are thankful for her continued service and dedication to AMA.
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AMA Staff Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries
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Thanks Commissioner Feige!
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Corri Feige’s last day in that key role in the Dunleavy Admin - istration was June 30. Throughout her tenure, Corri was actively engaged and supported of Alaska mining and min - ers, including being a frequent advo - cate for AMA. We thank her for her dedication, hard work and success in promoting and protecting mining in Alaska, while working for the benefit of both Alaskans and Alaska’s natural resources. “Commissioner Feige is a shin - ing example of what public service can be. Her list of accomplishments during her three years at the helm of DNR was impactful to say the least,” said Governor Dunleavy. “She guided Alaska’s resource development in - dustries through a pandemic with - out placing their employees at risk, asserted Alaska’s rightful ownership over submerged lands and positioned the state to be more self-reliant and food secure. Her legacy will be with Alaska for many years to come.”
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Profiles in Mining: Dave Larimer, Felix Gold
'Our opportunity is Alaska'
SPECIAL TO THE ALASKA MINER In a few words tell us about your work and role in Alaska min- ing. I Love Alaska! My introduction to Alaska was through the Military. Fort Wainwright was my first duty station and Fairbanks became my home. I met my wife Vanessa here where we met the old fashion way…in a bar (Silver Spur). Following several combat deployments into the “desert,” I was fortunate to have the opportunity to move our family back to Fairbanks where I started some graduate studies at UAF in Economic Geology. It was this time I was hired on to work exploration at Pogo Mine. I continued to work at Pogo for over 10 years, the last five as the Chief Geologist for the Mine and Exploration. I next had an opportunity to lead the Exploration in the Red Dog district with Teck Resources. While this opportunity moved us from Alaska to the Teck Head office in Vancouver BC, our work deployments had us at Red Dog 6 months of the year. This was a great oppor - tunity for me to see and learn new rocks experience a dif - ferent mineral system. Working the Mine Exploration, the Anarraaq/Aktigiruq Exploration you get very spoiled as an Economic Geologist. After three years, mid-COVID Era, I accepted a position as the Mineral Resource Manager for the Carlin complex with Nevada Gold Mine. Since every American geologist needs to do a stint in Nevada … I jumped on it. I was settling into this role, preparing for the next long stint to do good geology work when I got a call about an opportunity back here in Fairbanks, Alaska with Felix Gold. For the last 18 months, I have served as the Vice President of Exploration for Felix Gold, building, growing, and leading our current exploration efforts in the Fairbanks District. Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? I have had several great mentors through my separate careers. In the military, I look back and two have impacted my careers and life the most. Major Huse and Major Beagle were instrumental in teaching and shaping me as a young Army Captain. The lessons (sometimes hard learned lessons on my part) in the commitment to excellence, operations, and leadership have stuck with me. Specifically, it is the personal sacrifice, and personal commitment to those you lead, that will go unnoticed and unrecognized that will separate you as a leader from a man - ager. Geologically, it is Ken Puchlik. We worked closely for many years at Pogo and I learned and grew from his many lessons. The advice that has helped me the most as a Geolo - gist was to present the data as facts without embellishment while minimizing the “hype.” As Geologists, we get excited, and we tend to see and talk the abstract…however it was his lessons on how to “simmer down” the geology and present the facts to the managers/ boards that have stuck with me.
What lessons have you learned that you would like to share with new miners? Opportunities come and go. It's important to know what opportunities to jump on and which ones to exercise pa - tience on. For me it has been a continual evaluation of where we are at and what our dreams and goals are. Photo Courtesy Dave Larimer Dave Larimer, Vice President of Exploration for Felix Gold, with an ore sample.
CONTINUED on PAGE 22
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time and effort into the find and mine phases that this gets overlooked. The great reclamation works Usibelli, and Kinross have/are doing show what modern mining commitment to rec - lamation looks like. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? I see Alaska as the future of Min - ing in the U.S. Huge untapped and unrealized potentials for precious metals, coal, as well as the boom for the “social” minerals. We all know the struggles we face in Alaska, with power projection, and infrastruc - ture to remote sights. However, I do believe there is a common vision of what excellence looks like for Alaska mineral future. I do like the emerging technologies that will impact Alaska future in mining. Strong arguments for potentials on micro-nuclear re - actors, providing abundant electri - cal power for electrical haul and ex - tractive equipment. Remote operated vehicles that utilize Infrared lights negating the light pollution. Analyt - ical improvements that will forward the ore discrimination decisions min - imizing the transportation of waste. Just some simple initial thoughts on
business? I love mining! I love all spectrums of the mining life cycle. As a geolo - gist, my first passion is the early, in - fant phase of exploration. Learning the rocks, how mother nature put these geochemical anomalies together and following them to discovery and into a deposit. The young adult phase, or the prefeasibility/permitting stage is a unique opportunity to set the fu - ture conditions of success. This phase is exciting, in that its where you as a geologist can optimize and derisk the geology, work in a cohesive multidis - ciplinary team to fighting for the goal bringing a mine to fruition. The Adult phase, actual mining is what all the years of hard work go into. I loved the mine geology in that it was a close-up examination, from the inside of how the deposit was formed. Keeping the headings on ore, minimizing waste, working with engineering and met - allurgists in optimizing the mining is a unique, sometimes frustrating balance. Mother Nature is never kind enough to make ore deposits simple. One of the most exciting, and very overlooked aspect of the mining cy - cle is retirement phase, or reclama - tion. We as an industry put so much
LARIMER, CONTINUED from PAGE 20
What was one experience you will never forget? One of my most favorite memories was being on the Pogo Mine Under - ground Rescue Team. It was a lot of additional work, and time, but an im - portant aspect for the Mine’s opera - tions. Additionally, being on the Mine Rescue Competition Team. While the Mine Rescue team is a tight knit of your mine brothers and sisters, the bond is your commitment on your ac - tions if an emergency arises. It was a unique experience to be on the com - petition team, being graded and tested on your skill as a team. Your compet - itive edge really comes out. You want to beat the pants off the other teams and show your teams dedication and skills are the best. But at the same time, the level of respect, and family is so strong across all the teams be - cause your commitment is your bond. It is refreshing to know if there was a major underground emergency, that you have support from the rest of the Alaska Mines Emergency services.
What do you love most about this
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The Alaska Miner
Summer 2022 9/29/21 2:37 PM
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how emerging technologies will sup - port responsible mining in Alaska in the next 50 years. What do you see as our biggest chal- lenges? And opportunities? Our main opportunity is Alaska … Mother Nature has gifted us natural resources. Resources that are needed and benefit us as a society. Our big - gest challenge is one in the same… its Alaska. Large vast land with huge potential, but limited infrastructure. Limitations on transportation, stable/ cost effective power, communication (internet) and that’s just Fairbanks from this winter! All joking aside, we all know our challenges. They have been discussed many times. I do be - lieve there is a solution out there that will benefit all Alaskans. Its open dis - cussions with the industry, with our communities and working out what are the best solutions for these chal - lenges on all levels. What keeps you awake at night? Several things always weigh on my mind when trying to sleep. First and foremost, it is always the safety of our crews. My mind is always spinning thinking of the drillers drilling re - motely, the multi helicopters operat - ing simultaneously, or the geo crews working remotely in pairs. I have never been able to leave until I knew we had everyone out of the field and completed the night shift change over. However, I do take ease knowing we have executed the proper risk man - agement procedures, trained our crews right, and have the right supervisors to execute. However, my mind then drifts to the geology … and it is always the uncertainty in our profession that keeps me up later. Every time I think we have done our work; we start to understand what is going on geologi - cally … Mother Nature throws a curve ball, and your drilling was not what you expect, or the ore in the heading just died early. It is always more com - plex than you thought. I have had to learn through the years that “tactical patience” is needed and that you only fully understand an ore deposit … once you have mined it all out! And with that thought I finally get to sleep. What attracted you to join the Alaska Miners Association? And what does AMA mean to you? I joined AMA moving back to Alas - ka when I started with Pogo. My first convention was a Fairbanks spring
Photo Courtesy Dave Larimer
Dave is a proud combat veteran who first came to Alaska on active duty.
convention. I loved hearing the tech - nical talks, understanding what is go - ing on around me, and what the in - dustry had planned. Getting to know all the vendors that turn into your contractors in the future. As the years go on, I appreciate getting together in the Fall state convention, still love hearing what is going on, and catch - ing up with peers and acquaintances lying to each other on our great re - sults…because we all know we results are “still pending”! What do you do for fun? I do love the Alaska outdoors. However, my perception of fun in the Alaskan outdoors has changed over the
years. Vanessa, our dogs (Charlie and Kevin) love camping, but we pull our RV trailer. Backpacking or tent camp - ing … nope…too much like the Army days. Hiking … we will pass … too much like work and spent too many years as an Infantryman walking up and down mountains … were busting out the ATV. Dip netting … YES! But I am not risking my life scrambling up and down the cliffs of the Copper River … we are getting charter! Hobby wise, I do enjoy home dis - tillation. We have so far made sever - al batches of “jet fuel” and contin - ue to refine our techniques to have some whiskey to share in the coming months.
23
Summer 2022
The Alaska Miner
Profiles in Mining: David “Zoom” Szumigala
Mapping the greatland
SPECIAL TO THE ALASKA MINER Tell us about your work and role in Alaska mining.
I am a minerals geologist, and my career has been focused on exploring for metals such as gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc. I have had a wonderful career in Alaska for the past 40 years while exploring and mapping across this great State. I am currently a minerals geologist with the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, and I am spending the summer conducting geological mapping in eastern Alaska as part of the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative. Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? I have had numerous mentors throughout my career. These individuals have taught me so much. The sum aggre - gate of their teachings is who I am today. I’ve learned from some great professors in university classes. Rainer Newber - ry stands out as an incredible teacher and a mentor to me and so many Alaskan geologists. I have worked with Rainer throughout much of my Alaskan career and I am so happy to work with him now at DGGS. I’ve been privileged to have worked for and with many wonderful geologists and other professionals throughout my career. I hesitate to name them because I will miss some - one. Brian Jones with Bear Creek Mining Company (Kennecott Exploration). John Galey and Bob Morrell with AMAX Gold Exploration Inc. Rich Moses and Stan Dodd with Placer Dome Exploration Inc. I’ve also had incredible mentors from past and current members of AMA. There are so many AMA members whom I have interacted with and gained tidbits of knowledge. My interactions with AMA members as convention committee members have been especially fruitful. So much of what I have learned still remains true. Those lessons from my parents and grade schoolteachers are some of the foundations of my being and they apply to professional and social situations. Treat others like you wish to be treated. Honesty is the best policy. Good manners go a long way. You don’t always get what you want. If you want to succeed, then you must work hard to achieve your goal(s). Haven’t we all seen examples in the mining industry where these lessons were followed and projects succeeded, as well as projects that didn’t follow one or more of these basic lessons and difficulties followed? What lessons have you learned that you’d like to share with new miners? This lesson is said by so many knowledgeable people, but it bears repeating — “Pick a career doing something you love.” I can’t think of anything else that I would rather be doing than mineral exploration. I won’t say that I don’t grumble as I try to hike through a burned over ridge filled with fall - en trees, rose bushes, and pencil thick birch trees spaced six inches apart from each other during an all-day downpouring rainstorm, but getting back to camp safely afterwards usual - ly is just compensation. When I look back on my career, the
pleasant memories far outweigh the unpleasant ones. Please remember to work safely. Taking a shortcut to save some time is not worth it. Everyone in the mining industry must always remember that we are all ambassadors for the mining industry. The public will see us as the face of mining. And it takes many good deeds to erase or ease the results of one bad deed. What was one experience you will never forget? Wow. My mind is filled with experiences. Riding to work in a helicopter. I mean really — is there a better way to commute? Watching a bear charging at me at full speed and having to make instant life or death decisions. The thrill of finding mineralization and making a Photos Courtesy David Szumigala "Zoom" Szumigala has been a geologist in Alaska for 40 years and still most loves the time exploring remote Alaska.
24
The Alaska Miner
Summer 2022
discovery, regardless of whether it leads to an eventual mine or not. I still get a thrill every time I see gold in my pan and most of my pans have had fly speck gold at best, not nug - gets. Standing on the top of a high Alaskan ridge and won - dering if anyone had ever been there before. Thinking how amazing it is to be paid to go places that many people would pay dearly to visit. What do you love most about this business? I’ve already mentioned some things that I love about the mining business. I love the people in the mining industry. I enjoy interacting with others on a professional level, as well as a social level. I also enjoy the variety of opportunities. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? I see the Alaska mining industry continuing to grow. The world economy needs basic resources to function, and Alaska is a vast storehouse of mineral resources. The Alaska mining industry has proven that it can mine responsibly and it will continue to do so into the future. We are re - sourceful and able to adapt, so I believe our industry will adapt throughout the years, meet challenges as they pres - ent themselves, and provide needed minerals and metals far into the future What do you see as our biggest challenges? And opportunities? One of our biggest challenges is the lack of infrastructure throughout Alaska. The opportunity is to build that infra - structure and gain access to natural resources across Alaska. The Alaska mineral industry is continuously challenged to inform government at all levels about our industry. What we need to function, what we provide for local communi - ties, as well as what we provide to national and interna - tional markets. We must continually inform regulators and government officials that Alaska is not like other jurisdic - tions and one-size-fits-all regulations do not fit Alaska. What keeps you awake at night? Myself! I’m known for sending late night emails, some - times into the early morning. But if we are talking about things that concern me, then I do have several items. The first is the current lack of an economic geology professor at the University of Alaska Fair - banks. The Alaska mining industry has focused on fund - ing and preserving a mining department at UAF and that is a critical need for a healthy mining industry in Alaska. I believe that having an economic geology professor focused on ore deposit teaching and research is equally important for the Alaska mineral industry. There aren’t any current graduate students focusing research on Alaskan ore depos - its. These students have filled a critical need in the past for ore deposit studies in Alaska and they have been part of the pipeline of geologists filling junior positions for mineral exploration companies. Another item that concerns me is the lack of a system for preserving information regarding exploration and oth - er mining related activities in Alaska, especially on State lands. The State of Alaska owns 97.9 million acres and is entitled to an additional 6 million acres under the Statehood Act. The State actively gains knowledge about the resources on its lands by funding and conducting such programs as
CONTINUED on PAGE 58
25
Summer 2022
The Alaska Miner
Profiles in Mining: Bonnie Broman, GeoMetallica
'See the opportunities'
SPECIAL TO THE ALASKA MINER In a few words tell us about your work and role in Alaska min- ing. I am a Vice President of Exploration and am responsible for planning and managing geologic exploration programs. Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? I would have to say my mentor is the very first person I met here in Alaska — Stephanie Mrozek. She was my super - visor for my first job at the Nixon Fork Mine. I was imme - diately impressed by her enthusiasm and knowledge base. As a young geo, I looked up to her skills as a geologist but also as a manager. I learned many things from her but one thing I learned that holds true to today is that is it critical to truly understand an ore body from a technical perspective before you can start to think about development plans. While there is a fine line between spending too much time and not spending enough time understanding the geologic details, Stephanie showed me a way to achieve a good balance. She also taught me to work with the resources you have available, to continually grow your knowledge base and most impor - tantly to always ask questions and challenge the status quo. What lessons have you learned that you’d like to share with new miners? Do the best you can with the knowledge that you have and work hard — hard work will be recognized. When you do not have enough information, don’t be afraid to ask questions. What was one experience you will never forget? The first time I went underground! I love working un - derground and found it exhilarating from the first moment I stepped foot there — it is such an eye-opening experience to see things in 3D — it really gives you a great perspective of geologic processes. What do you love most about this business? I love the close-knit community. It doesn’t matter where you go in the world — everyone will be able to relate to one aspect or another. Whether it’s the geology or engineering or the logistical challenges of our business, it’s an industry where we all speak the same language. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? I would hope that we see more mining in Alaska! We are blessed to be in a State with enormous mineral potential and if we continue to develop our resources in a responsible man - ner we could be as self-sustainable as any country such as Norway or Iceland. I don’t think people understand how truly unique Alaska is from a geologic perspective. I’m excited for the future generation of miners in Alaska! What do you see as our biggest challenges? And opportunities? Our biggest challenges are public perception and permitting risk for developing new projects in Alaska. Alaska and the Unit -
Photos Courtesy Bonnie Broman
ed States are favorable from a jurisdictional perspective, but as permitting challenges continue to delay or shut down projects, Alaska becomes less favorable for investors. As we move toward a greener economy, our reliance on fossil fuels will be reduced which means the Alaskan economy will not benefit as greatly. But this is our greatest opportunity as well! As I mentioned in the last question, Alaska is very unique from a geologic per - spective, and we have the opportunity to develop several world class mineral deposits in the near future with plenty of other exciting opportunities. If we can get momentum in exploring, developing, and permitting projects in a reasonable timeframe, the Alaskan economy will become a booming economic engine! What keeps you awake at night? Permitting and the powers that be that try to stop projects from moving forward. And sometimes mosquitos! What attracted you to join the Alaska Miners Association? And what does AMA mean to you? From my first moment working in Alaska, I was again impressed with the close-knit community here and I wanted to be part of that! AMA was a great avenue for me to meet
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The Alaska Miner
Summer 2022
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