President’s Message From Lorali Simon
We must continue our advocacy efforts in '24
"As the mining industry works to solve our workforce shortage problems, and we strive to gain the interest of young people, the work we’re doing at the Alaska Miners Association cannot slow down."
I t is truly and honor and pleasure to serve the Alaska Miners Association as the pres- ident of the board of directors. During my 13 years with Usibelli Coal Mine, I have become increasingly involved with AMA. I am thankful for the time that AMA leadership has taken to help me get plugged in and expand my knowledge of the industry. John Shively made sure I was a regular attendee at both State and Federal Oversight, and Bill Jeffress encour- aged me to serve as the Denali Branch Chair and ultimately as an officer. Over the years I have admired the devotedness AMA’s members have for the organization and the industry. If any of you want to expand your knowledge of the industry and the pressures we’re fac- ing, please join the State or Federal Oversight Committee. Serving on these committees is an eye-opening experience. The AMA members who make up these committees are truly ex- perts in their fields. I learn something new at every meeting. We are fortunate to have such a deep bench of members willing to volunteer their time making AMA stronger and educating the rest of us. I refuse to point out the average age of the members serving on these committees, but I do implore younger AMA members to step up. It has been extremely valuable to work along- side brilliant minds like Jeanine Schmidt, Victor
Ross, Bob Loeffler and Jim Clark. While I still often struggle to understand the practical im- plications of some of the proposed government regulations on mining operations, any one of the friends above will take time to walk me through it. As the mining industry works to solve our workforce shortage problems, and we strive to gain the interest of young people, the work we’re doing at AMA cannot subside. AMA will continue to cultivate young professionals as well as partner with organizations like Alaska Resource Education to reach even younger stu- dents, as well as assist teachers. Our advocacy efforts on ensuring a strong mining sector in Alaska are moving the needle — but we must keep the pressure on. On Nov. 29, the Alaska Miners Association Political Action Committee had a fundraiser at Bell’s Nursery in Anchorage. The event was well-attended by members, donors and legis- lators. It is critical AMAPAC continue to fight to help elect legislators who share our values of a strong mining industry. Before I close, I would like to offer my per- sonal congratulations to the 2023 AMA awards recipients. You can read more about each of them in this issue of The Alaska Miner. Your grit and determination do not go unnoticed: n John Shively, Lifetime Achievement; n Bartly Kleven, Environmental Stewardship;
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The Alaska Miner
Winter 2024
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