VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 4 | FALL 2025
mining.sandvik
“Your commitment to RDC makes all of our efforts possible, and I look forward to the opportu- nities we will create together in the new year." — Connor Hajdukovich, Interim Executive Director, RDC
TRANSITION, GROWTH AND OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTURE
Sandvik DS422i is a rock support drill designed for cement-grouted cable bolt installation in underground mines and tunnels. Designed with safety in mind with improved efficiency and productivity.
D EAR MEMBERS AND SUPPORTERS: service as RDC’s Executive Director, and for the mentorship and guidance she provided to her staff throughout her tenure. We wish her the very best in her future endeavors. As we continue the search for RDC’s next permanent Executive Director, Jennifer Kuhlmann, our Membership and Events Manager, and I remain fully available for all your RDC needs, and we are excited for what the year ahead holds. This fall has been a busy one as we host- ed our 46th Annual Alaska Resources Con- ference and celebrated RDC’s 50th Anniver- sary. Thank you to the sponsors, exhibitors, speakers, and attendees who helped make this year’s conference such a success. Please check out our sponsor thank-you page and a full conference update in this edition of the Resource Review. Working closely with our Conference Committee lead, Scott Jepsen, we assembled a fantastic agenda featuring speakers from across Alaska and the nation. In my first year fully planning this event, I was truly impressed by the talented speak- ers who volunteered their time to provide updates, analysis, and forward-looking per- spectives on Alaska’s resource industries. I would like to begin by thank- ing Leila Kimbrell for her years of This year’s conference highlighted RDC's five statewide industries — oil and gas, min- ing, tourism, timber, and fisheries — with
both broad overview presentations and in- depth discussions on the issues shaping each sector. We also heard from many govern- ment officials, including Senators Lisa Mur- kowski and Dan Sullivan, Congressman Nick Begich, Governor Mike Dunleavy, North Slope Borough Mayor Josiah Patkotak, De- partment of the Interior Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Leslie Beyer, and EPA Region 10 Administrator Emma Pokon. Attendees also received signif- icant updates from major oil and gas projects currently in development by ConocoPhillips, Santos, Glenfarne and Hilcorp. My biggest takeaway from this year’s conference was the profound respect our membership has for the work of RDC’s past leaders, and the strong sense of optimism for Alaska’s resource industries over the next 50 years. This fall also brought several significant national policy decisions advancing lawful and predictable federal decision-making for Alaska. These included announcements on rescinding the 2001 Roadless Rule and the 2024 NPR-A Rule, authorizations for the King Cove Road, approval of permits for the Ambler Access Project, revisions to the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS), and a Record of Deci- sion enabling leasing in the Coastal Plain of ANWR, among other announcements. A special thank-you goes to Alaska’s Con-
gressional delegation for their leadership in driving these initiatives forward. We also saw record-breaking attendance at RDC events this year, particularly at our breakfast forums. During our fall series, we had presentations on the Donlin Gold Proj- ect, why ANCSA matters, an update from Alaska’s Regulatory Agency Commissioners, an update on the Academies of Anchorage, a presentation on TAPS’ impact on Alas- ka’s economy, and even welcomed a virtual conversation from the Secretary of the In- terior with Governor Dunleavy. Stay tuned for announcements on our spring series speakers and consider purchasing a season pass so you don’t miss any of these valuable presentations and networking opportunities. As we prepare for the coming year, we recognize that there is important work ahead; advocating for responsible resource development, creating opportunities for our membership to connect and work with one another, and helping ensure Alaska builds a strong economic base for the next gener- ation. Your commitment to RDC makes all of this possible, and I look forward to the opportunities we will create together in the new year.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS! SINCERELY, CONNOR HAJDUKOVICH INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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ALASKA RESOURCE REVIEW FALL 2025
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