AMA Award Winners
Don Stevens, Chuck Hawley Lifetime Achievement Award
it to nature. after producing more than 25 million tons of coal over its operating life. "Usibelli Coal Mine has worked very hard and waited patiently to achieve this recognition," Kirkham said. "For this bond release, they met the requirements of very stringent state oversight for the permit, and the results of their work went beyond what was required." All of Usibelli Coal Mine's employees are proud Alaskans, and because this is the place they call home, they are committed to restoring Alaska to the way it was found – wild and beautiful. During the short summer months, three to five employees are hired for its summer reclamation crew, usually local Healy high school students or University of Alaska Fairbanks students enrolled in the mining engineering program, to hand plant an average of 25,000 seedlings throughout the reclaimed mining areas. In 2022, Usibelli's reclamation mining engineer was named the 2022 Reclamationist of the Year by the American Society of Reclamation Sciences for demonstrating outstanding
By R. A. Hughes, PE Don Stevens has been associated with the mining industry in Alaska since 1963 when he entered the UAF Geology program and worked as an intern in summers. He received his Ph.D in Geology in 1970 and began his professional career in the mining exploration business. He has served as lead project manager and as an exploration consultant since graduation. He founded Stevens Exploration Management in 1978 after a stint of working for City Services as Exploration Manager for them. Don has a number of significant achievements and has served the Alaska Miners Association as member and officer or Director. I have worked with Don and opposed him in legal actions at Kantishna during the National Parks Services’ closure of mining claims in the Denali National Park and Preserve. Don served as exploration consultant for Denali Mining Company at Valdez Creek and was instrumental in the discovery of the A Channel at that mine. He has worked for Bering Straits Native Corporation (BSNC) and has received honored for his service thereto in 2004. He has worked extensively in placer geology at Valdez Creek and its tributaries including the more recent Valdez Creek Mining Company, owned by John Cioffoletti beginning in 2013. Don observed the exploration and claims staking efficiency that occurred at Voisey Bay in Eastern Canada and sought to study that methodology for Alaska. He presented his ideas to DNR Mining and was commissioned to study the methodology. The result of this effort is the MTRSC claims staking methodology adopted by regulation
Photo Courtesy Don Stevens
Don and Marian Stevens.
accomplishments in the practical application or evaluation of reclamation technology. However, the mine's environmental
into practice in Alaska. I have worked with and against Don in legal battles. Don has always conducted himself in a professional manner. Don has served as Anchorage branch chairman and Director. He has been a long-time member of AMA, a member of the Association of Applied Geochemists, a member
stewardship achievements are largely due to the incredible dedication that all Usibelli employees have given to the mine’s reclamation goals over the years. Their commitment to excellence has helped restore wildlife habitat to allow bears, moose, caribou, lynx, wolves, snowshoe hare, and coyotes to frequent its reclaimed mining areas.
of the Society for Mining and Exploration, a member of the
Alaska Minerals Commission, and a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists.
31
Winter 2023
The Alaska Miner
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