Executive Director’s Report
Dear Alaska Miners,
What a start it has been to 2025 ... and things certainly aren't slowing down! As we head toward another summer mining sea- son, I am proud to highlight all the exceptional ways that Alaska miners continue to help tell their own personal stories and share the importance of Alaska mining and our way of life. Every single one is special and vital to helping tell the greater story that is and always will be Alaska mining! AMA has been in multiple important venues the past few months, advocating for you and for Alaska. We just went to Washington, D.C. for the annual Alaska on the Hill event (previously Alaska Resourc- es Day) and were able to meet with many different legislators, mining and resource organizations, and mostly, friends of Alaska mining! Being able to share the importance that Alaska mining plays at the state, federal and global level to those individuals who help enact large policy deci- sions is among the biggest challenges — and oppor- tunities — we at AMA have. It also is amazing how many partner organizations — and Alaska miners — join us each year for the event. It truly is a blessing to have such a robust and well-rounded coalition to help share our stories and support our mission. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us! We will have much more about the event and what was discussed in coming publications. Looking ahead, there are numerous other events and opportunities to collaborate and help spread a good word about all the positives that Alaska mining brings. Alaska Mining Day on May 10 again will be a celebration of the past contributions of miners and also help bring together current and future miners during a day that was designated specifically for us. AMA is looking forward to it and we welcome you to share your stories with us for this magazine! I would be remiss to not mention Roger Burggraf and his amazing contributions to Alaska mining. Rog- er is on the cover of this publication for his generous donation of his personal gold collection to the Uni- versity of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks. But, more importantly, this is another opportunity to recognize one of the greatest Alaska miners who has or ever will call our state home. Roger is a true pioneer but also one of the kindest and most generous men you may ever come across. Thank you, Roger, for everything you have done to ad- vance Alaska mining and our way of life. You are truly one of a kind, and it's an honor to call you a friend! It also is an honor to be able to tell the stories you will read in this edition of The Alaska Miner, includ- ing: n Robert "Bob" Stiles Jr. and the legacy he left in his own right in Alaska and for resource development (Page 18) n The outlook for Alaska gold with prices continuing
to climb to record highs and beyond (Page 24) n The importance of Alaska coal amid President Trump's announcement promoting the industry (Page 28) n Alaska Mining Day and why it continues to be such an important milestone (Page 32) Moving forward with the rest of 2025, we will have many more opportunities to share what Alaska mining truly means — and which all of you already know. Alaska has always been blessed with good rocks. Our No. 1 challenge will continue to be proving we can develop and produce more for the state that we love more than anybody who doesn’t live here. As you also know, more than ever, it’s critical that we continue to educate and engage, and respect- fully challenge, those who don’t understand what we do or why we do it. I look forward to this mission that's at the heart of AMA and every day in the future to do exactly that on your behalf. You can count on AMA to keep you posted as each challenge arises — and they undoubt- edly will continue. And to let us provide the facts you need to support our shared arguments. I also look forward to seeing each and every one of you at our upcoming events, and especially this November at our annual convention in Anchorage. Best wishes for a great summer! Deantha Skibinski AMA Executive Director
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