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.
Celebrating the many contributions of Alaska’s women miners Alaska Women In Mining!
The official magazine of the Alaska Miners Association and the mining industry in Alaska
AlaskaMiners.org
Spring 2023 Volume 51, Number 4
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
n Setting Records in 2022 n Strong Summer Season Begins n New Projects Gain Momentum n Faces of Mining: Rich Hughes
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Executive Director’s Report
Dear Alaska Miners,
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. Every single one is special and vital to helping tell the greater story that is and always will be Alaska mining! The recent Juneau Mining Forum was a resound- ing success and I can't thank the Council of Alaska Producers enough for being an exceptional team- mate in helping to show all of the great projects and initiatives that are underway in our state. Our knowledgeable speakers and presenters did an impressive job in helping to convey the needs of Alaska's mines and the communities we call home to elected officials, agency representatives and other miners from across the state. 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 now that we've gotten beyond pandem- ic-related closures, we can also look forward to gatherings this summer at state fairs, fundraisers and ultimately the annual convention later this fall. It has been a blessing to be able to see each and every smiling face and hear all the great stories that come with being able to meet face-to-face! It also is an honor to be able to tell the stories you will read in this edition of The Alaska Miner, including: n The AMA members who have been honored with Alaska Top 40 Under 40 Awards (Page 6) n Rich Hughes' story of spending a lifetime in service to Alaska miners in Faces of Mining (Page 16) n The Alaska mines celebrating International Wom- en’s Day and the vast contributions that women miners provide on a daily basis (Page 28) n The Alaska Mining Hall of Fame's newest induct- ees, which include a pair of women pioneers — Emma Grace Lowe and Bridget Mannion Aylward (Page 40) As you all 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 educate and engage, and respectfully chal- lenge, 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 undoubtedly 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 this spring and summer, and especially this fall at our annual con- vention in Anchorage. Best wishes for a great summer!
Deantha Skibinski AMA Executive Director
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The official magazine of the Alaska Miners Association and the mining industry in Alaska
ON THE COVER: Thousands of Alaska women work every day in our mining industry, including these ladies who are part of the Kinross Alaska team, at the Fort Knox mine. (left to right) Shonnalee Follet, Deena Gridley, Jessica Snyder and Kayla Arthofer. Photo Courtesy Greg Martin Photography THIS PAGE: Katie, Coeur Alaska’s HR Manager, taking a tour of the underground Kensington Mine. Photo Courtesy Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine
22 Stantec Discusses Efficiency 28 Kinross Celebrates Women in Mining 32 EPA Continues Misrepresenting Mining Industry With TRI 44 Newest Mining Business and Service Directory
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 Executive Director’s Report 4 Letter From President Bartly Kleven 8 Graphite One Moving Forward 16 Faces of Mining: Rich Hughes
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
Summer 2023 People in Mining Fall 2023 Annual Anchorage Convention Winter 2024 Legislative and Season Preview Spring 2024 Project Updates
Deantha Skibinski Executive Director Jennifer Luiten Membership and Fundraising Director Darlene Strickland 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
Houston Morris Kenai Ken Hughes Nome Robert Fithian Ketchikan/ Prince of Wales
Liz Cornejo Haines Jim Clark Juneau
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
Welcome to another season, and thank you
"The mining industry’s ability to reduce emissions and diversify its energy supply will have a large impact on our ability to attract capital for exploration and mine development." W elcome to spring and a productive and safe summer season. And, also in advance, Happy Mining Day 2023!
forward for our way of life. Since the first Mining Day celebration, there have been many global events that bring min- ing into even sharper focus for a variety of reasons, including: Regulatory standards, which have only increased each year — and Alaska mining continues to be the most precise, monitored, careful, clean and responsible mining in the world; Mining has provided millions of dollars an- nually to state and local governments, a figure which also continues to increase each year; Today, roughly 10,000 Alaskans work in mining, earning an average wage of more than six figures annually, again another steady and positive increase. There also has been an increased focus on reducing greenhouse gas, and Alaska can produce the critical minerals needed for every renewable technology source planned for the future by this and successive administrations. By now you know, energy transition will require an increase in critical mineral mining. Alaska will be at the forefront of this increase if the United States wants to ensure a secure supply. Many of these minerals are mined in undeveloped countries by the Chinese.
On the Mining Day celebration on May 10, 2019, Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued an Executive Proclamation to mark the celebration honoring our vital industry. In summary: “Mining was the primary driv- ing force for early development of Alaska and has continued to play a vital role in our economy. From the Alaska Natives who historically mined and traded jade to today’s mining professionals who produce rare-earth critical minerals for ad- vanced-technology products, mining has provided precious resources and desirable jobs. A secondary result of mining has been the establishment of in- frastructure including roads, airports, and harbors; power generation and transmission systems and telecommunications." On May 10 — and in all reality, every day — we recognize the importance of the mining industry and the individuals who have played a role in the development of the state and the ongoing contribution to the overall economy of Alaska. We also highlight the current and future miners of Alaska who will help carry the torch
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Suffice it to say human rights, much less environmental protections are not at the forefront of these operations. Mining in North America and particu- larly in Alaska must be conducted safely and in compliance with environmental protections required. Mining in North America will be key to energy transition in our county. Alaska must ensure it is ready to ac- cept this challenge. Our operations must be streamlined, energy efficient and cost effective. The mining industry’s ability to reduce emissions and diversify its ener- gy supply will have a large impact on our ability to attract capital for exploration and mine development. There is a lot to be proud of about min- ing and specifically mining in Alaska, as all of you are keenly aware. Thank you to Alaska miners for contin- uting to be at the forefront of clean, safe and efficient operations that will continue to benefit all Alaskans for generations to come.
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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Top 40 Under 40 honors AMA members
Several long-time members of our Alaska mining family will be honored with the 2023 Alaska Top 40 Under 40 Award, presented annually by the Alaska Journal of Commerce. The 2023 honorees from AMA are: n Dylan Faber, Community and Government Affairs Manager, Matson n Tyson Gallagher, Chief of Staff, Governor Mike Dunleavy n Wendie MacNaughton, External Affairs Manager, Northern Star-Pogo Mine n Beki Toussaint, Education Program Director, Alaska Resource Education
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Looking for a past issue? Issues of The Alaska Miner and The Alaska Miner Journal are available online at www.alaskaminers.org/monthly-journal.
For complimentary printed copies, or to set up your compli- mentary subscription, email admin@fireweedstrategies.com.
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Graphite One reports new resource growth
BY NORTH OF 60 MINING NEWS With only 2,150 meters of drilling carried out during 2022, Graphite One Inc. expanded the quantity of graph- ite contained within the measured and indicated resources at its Graphite Creek deposit in western Alaska by 13 percent. Located about 35 miles (60 kilo- meters) north of the legendary gold mining town of Nome, Graphite Creek now hosts 37.6 million metric tons of measured and indicated resources averaging 5.15% (1.9 million met- ric tons) graphite. This marks a 15.5
percent increase in measured and in- dicated resource tonnage and a 13.1% more contained graphite. This growth primarily comes from upgrading inferred resources to the higher confidence measured and in - dicated categories. This leaves 243.7 million metric tons of inferred resource averaging 5.14 percent (12.3 million metric tons) graphite still available for upgrade. And the inferred resource does not include results from 22GC079, a hole that cut 58 meters averaging 4.18 percent graphite about 2,100 meters southwest of the nearest hole drilled
at Graphite Creek. While this hole was too far away to be included in the re- source, it provides further evidence of the world-class graphite deposit waiting to be delineated at Graphite Creek. This potential was highlighted in a recent U.S. Geological Survey report titled Insights into the Metamorphic History and Origin of Flake Graphite Mineralization at the Graphite Creek Graphite Deposit, Seward Peninsula, Alaska, USA."
CONTINUED on PAGE 10
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The upgraded resource estimate for Graphite Creek and the growth poten- tial underscored by hole 22GC079 sets the stage for resource expansion drill- ing aimed at closer matching this po- tential domestic graphite supply with the rocketing demand for this lithium battery material. A 2022 prefeasibility study for Graphite Creek envisioned a mine that would produce an average of 51,813 metric tons of graphite concentrate per year and a processing and re- cycling facility in Washington that would upgrade the concentrates into 49,600 metric tons of spherical coat- ed graphite that serves as the anode material in lithium-ion batteries and 25,400 metric tons of other advanced graphite products per year. The growing demand for bat- tery-grade graphite, however, has the company considering larger opera- tions. The current measured and indicat- ed resource only accounts for a little over one kilometer (0.6 miles) of the more than 16 kilometers (10 miles) of graphite outlined with drilling, mapping, and geophysics at Graphite
Creek. In a 2022 report, S&P Global Platts forecasts that more than 5 million metric tons of graphite per year will be needed for EVs alone by 2030. This compares to roughly 1.3 mil- lion metric tons of graphite mined globally during 2022, according to the latest USGS figures. This means that global graphite production must more than triple in eight years just to meet automaker demand. Given the growing need for a do- mestic supply of the graphite needed to achieve North America's EV ambi- tions, Graphite One is now focused on building enough measured and indi- cated resources to support larger op- erations in Alaska and Washington. "(T)he continued expansion of our Graphite Creek resource will support our plan to quadruple the annual pro- duction from our PFS study," said Graphite One Senior Vice President of Mining Mike Schaffner. Toward this goal, Graphite One plans to complete a total of 20,000 meters of drilling in 2023 and 2024, subject to financing.
GRAPHITE ONE, CONTINUED from PAGE 8
"The Graphite Creek graphite de- posit, located in the Kigluaik Moun- tains 60 km north of Nome on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, is the largest known flake graphite re - source in the USA and is among the largest in the world," USGS penned in its report. This world-class deposit has the potential to be a major domestic source of graphite, the single largest ingredient in the lithium batteries powering electric vehicles and a min- eral for which the U.S. is 100% reliant on imports for its supply. "We've been very consistent about the potential we see in Graphite Creek," said Graphite One President and CEO Anthony Huston. "The rec- ognition by USGS coupled with this increase in our measured and indi- cated resources and the fact that we have explored only 26% of our graph- ite anomaly underscores that Graph- ite Creek is truly a generational re- source."
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Photo Courtesy Graphite One
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(Reuters) – A federal judge has rejected a bid by environmental- ists to temporarily suspend the U.S. government’s approval of Cono- coPhillips' multibillion-dollar oil drilling project in Alaska’s Arctic. U.S. District Judge Sharon Glea- son in Anchorage had been asked by environmental groups and a Native American community in two law- suits filed last month for an order blocking construction on the $7 bil- lion Willow project over concerns it would exacerbate climate change and damage pristine wildlife habitat. Gleason said an injunction was inappropriate because the groups wouldn't be irreparably harmed by the construction that ConocoPhil- lips has scheduled for this month, which includes building roads and a gravel mine. A ConocoPhillips spokesper- son said the decision will allow the company to begin construction ac- tivities "immediately," and said the project will provide "meaningful opportunities" for the state, its Na- tive American communities and for domestic U.S. energy production. The U.S. Interior Department declined to comment. The Biden administration ap- proved the project on March 13, drawing cheers from Alaskan of- ficials and the oil industry. Envi - ronmental opponents have said the development undermines President Joe Biden's highly publicized ef- forts to fight climate change. The approvals give ConocoPhil- lips permission to construct three drill pads, 25.8 miles of gravel roads, an air strip and hundreds of miles of ice roads. The 30-year project would produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day at its peak. Attempt to block Willow rejected
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The Alaska Miner
AIDEA approves $45M plan for Ambler Road
BY SHANE LASLEY, NORTH OF 60 MINING NEWS Based on a directive made by Con- gress more than 40 years ago and its
own mission to promote economic growth and diversity in Alaska, the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority board of directors has approved $44.8 million to advance
pre-development work on the Ambler Road project in Northwest Alaska. "Thanks to the AIDEA Board of Di- rectors for authorizing the 2023 proj- ect budget, which enables the project to move ahead," said Alaska Industri- al Development and Export Authori- ty Executive Director Randy Ruaro. "AIDEA will fight for jobs, a future for Alaskans, and environmentally re- sponsible resource development right here in Alaska." Formally known as the Ambler Ac- cess Project, this 211-mile road would provide an economical means of de- livering mineral concentrates con- taining copper, zinc, silver, cobalt, and other metals critical to clean en- ergy and America's economic inter- ests from mines in the Ambler District to the market. Drilling has outlined more than 9.4 billion pounds of copper, 9.5 billion pounds of zinc, 84 million ounces of silver, 850,000 ounces of gold, and 77 million pounds of cobalt in the Ambler Mining District. Recognizing the need for sur- face access to unlock the rich min- eral potential in the Ambler District, Congress included special provisions in the 1980 Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) that guarantees the approval of a trans- portation corridor to this metals-rich region of Northwest Alaska. Section 201 (4) of ANILCA reads, "Congress finds that there is a need for access for surface transportation purposes across the Western (Kobuk River) unit of the Gates of the Arctic National Preserve (from the Ambler Mining District to the Alaska Pipeline Haul Road) and the Secretary shall permit such access in accordance with the provisions of this subsection." "Those promises in ANILCA and the needs of Alaskans and the fami- lies for good paying jobs and the op- portunity to start a small business matter," said Ruaro. "That is why we continue to progress the project and work toward these significant project milestones."
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BLM, the U.S. Army Corps of En- gineers, and the National Park Service issued a joint record of decision in 2020 that provided the federal authorizations needed to build a road that would have fulfilled the ANILCA mandate. A year ago, however, BLM notified AIDEA that it had suspended its autho- rizations for further review. The federal land manager cited a lack of adequate consultation with Alaska tribes and evaluation of poten- tial impacts the road might have on subsistence uses as reasons to remand the previously issued authorizations. This decision is delaying the start of a road that would provide access to many of the minerals and metals need- ed to meet the Biden administration's push toward electric vehicles and re- newable energy. "When environmental groups and the federal government delay or stop projects in Alaska, they just push pro- duction to other countries. These coun- tries lack the strict protections Alaska has and the environment suffers. Alas - kans and their families end up paying the bill for environmentally damag- ing projects in other countries," Ruaro said. "Production of minerals through the Ambler project, specifically critical
Photo by Lee Leschper Randy Ruaro, Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority Executive Director.
minerals, support America's nation- al defense and offset a need to import such minerals from China — a country with little to no pollution requirements that want to control and dominate crit- ical minerals the way OPEC controlled oil in the 1970s." AIDEA says it has an agreement with BLM to fund a supplemental environ- mental impact statement to address the
deficiencies cited as reasons to remand the federal land manager's authori- zation for the Ambler Road. BLM has selected SWCA Environmental Consul- tants as the third-party contractor that will support the federal agency's work to complete the final SEIS. A record of decision on the revised Ambler Road permits is expected by the end of 2023.
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In each issue of The Alaska Miner, we recognize a member of our Alaska mining community. This issue we are interviewing long-time Alaska miner Rich Hughes. Faces of Mining
Rich Hughes
BY LEE LESCHPER Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? I think that I had two mentors, one in university and one initially at work. Harve Nelson, PhD, professor of Mining Engineering, UNR, Mackay School of Mines, taught me humility, great mining technology, and the ability to seek and use infor- mation. He was a great guy. Dale Brown, General Foreman, Kennecott Copper, Ruth Pit, Nevada — a fantastic guy with lots of tolerance, knowledge, and patience. He was an incredible lead to the industry. What brought you to Alaska? I was born in St. Helena, Calif., in 1938 and raised on my grandfather’s farm/ranch in Potter Valley, Calif. I be- came interested in mining through a high school chem- istry course. I studied mining engineering at the Univer- sity of Nevada, Mackay School of Mines and graduated in 1960. My first job was with Kennecott at Ruth, Nevada.
I married my high school sweetheart, Virginia Strick- ler, in 1957. We have three great kids and now have seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. In the interest of ex- panding my experience to include underground min- ing, I was enticed to leave KCC and take a position with New Idria Mining & Chem-
ical Company in southern California at the New Idria mercury mine. I then returned to the University to obtain my masters but became involved with an intense gold exploration program in Nevada. This led to the eventual commissioning of at least two gold mines in the state. I have held a number of mining / resource extraction positions and have done a lot of consulting on an essen- tially independent basis. I joined the Anaconda Company in 1965 at Yerington, Nev., then left to run Milchem’s barite mine/milling operation at Battle Mountain, NV for a short stint. Anaconda enticed me back in 1969 to work at the Berkely Pit in Butte, Mont. I rose through a num- ber of positions to General Manager of the Butte Opera- tions in 1975. A headhunter attracted me to join Rio Tin- to’s Rossing Uranium Mine operation in Southwest Africa (Namibia) as General Manager in 1975. I worked there for a couple years then returned to the states to take a man- agement position with Exxon Minerals at their Douglas, WY uranium mine. I was transferred to Houston, Texas, to take on Exxon’s Pinos Altos, N.M., project in 1977. I always had a life-long dream to live in Alaska and do my own thing. I had that opportunity in 1981 with the great jobs provided at Prudhoe Bay in the oil patch. I joined ARCO Projects in June 1981 at Prudhoe and lived in Anchorage. I retired from ARCO in 1987 and began my own consulting service. I have consulted for a number of individuals and companies and have had great experi- ences operating projects and mines in the state. I joined Valdez Creek Mining Company in 1988 and worked at their large placer operation on its namesake creek in the Alaska Range. This effort lasted two years. I returned to consulting and provided that service to a number of small operators, but mainly consulted for Cook Inlet Regional’s North Pacific Mining Company in Anchorage on the Illinois Creek project and others. I also had a significant contract with AMAX Gold to transfer Sleeper and Wind Mountain, Nev., projects to Alaska to determine feasibility here. I joined Ryan Lode Mines, Inc. in 1993 to operate the namesake project on Ester Dome. Ryan Lode is a high- grade vein system and was the first successful heap leach operation in an Artic setting in Alaska. The intent of this project, succeeding the initial mining and heap leaching,
CONTINUED on PAGE 18
Hughes at the 2014 AMA convention in Fairbanks.
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Faces of Mining
time consulting practice. I joined forces with Bob Trent and my son Kraig Hughes to form H2T Mine Engineering Services, LLP in 2007. This was to undertake a sig- nificant consulting effort for BP Ex - ploration on the North Slope to de- termine the feasibility of mining soft formation underground oil-bearing rocks. This was a fun project but failed to confirm feasibility of the concept. H2T undertook a feasibility of the PacRim Coal’s project in Cook Inlet. This was an intense investigation of the project’s viability. The recent de- pression in coal prices spelled demise for the project. As H2T we have undertaken a number of consulting projects, one of the most notable was to return to Valdez Creek in 2013 to provide con- sulting services to Valdez Creek Min- ing Company (VCM), not the original, but a New Jersey based company. VCM acquired claims on White Creek a left-limit tributary of Valdez Creek about 6 miles above the latter’s con-
fluence with the Susitna River. The company was intent on mining the very deep gold-bearing gravels in this drainage. The owner of VCM also created a company called World Class Mining Company to do hard rock ex- ploration in the Valdez Creek drain- age. VCM still placer mines, but the emphasis has shifted to successful- ly defining hard rock sources of the placer gold. I have undertaken a number of other consulting assignments and am currently involved with placer gold mining in the Brooks Range, with Nixon Fork tailings remediation and with a brief return to providing ad- vice for the Ryan Lode project. What lessons have you learned that you want to share with new miners? Hard work is gratifying and actu- ally becomes fun as it reaps rewards in the form of accomplishment and recognition for performance. Do not hesitate to reach out and do a job
FACES, CONTINUED from PAGE 16
was to define the resource and do a feasibility study of the project. We successfully demonstrated feasibility but ran out of money and discontin- ued the project. I returned to consulting until 2002 then joined Tricon Mining to run the Nolan Creek underground mining and milling operation. This was not a successful project. It was based on the unverified premise that the “old timers” had not mined the under- ground resource in a section of the creek. This was wrong. They were very thorough in their underground mining effort. I joined the State of Alaska as De- velopment Specialist in the Office of Economic Development in 2004. I worked there for six years and en- joyed the contacts, the travel to en- tice mining/exploration companies to Alaska and otherwise promote the mining industry here. I retired from the State in 2010 to return to a part-
CONTINUED on PAGE 20
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Rich at Nolan Creek placer for Tricon Mining in 2003. Photos Courtesy Rich Hughes
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Faces of Mining
of opposition. It will move forward in a responsible manner to probably add another five or six major mines such as Ambler, Livengood, a significant discovery in the Pogo area, Pebble, Bokan Mountain rare earths, Graph- ite Creek. Placer mining will continue to exist and could become more prev- alent depending on gold price. Alas- ka has the potential to become the number 1 non-oil mineral producer in the United States. What do you see as our biggest chal- lenges? And opportunities? Challenge: Overcoming the oppo- sition to mining in the form of out- right lies and distortions, the politi- zation of the permitting process such as the recent pre-emptive veto of the permits for the Pebble project. Effective communications with the public and the native commu- nities is a must to foster a thriving mining industry in the state. Mining companies have done a wonderful job of communications, but still meet with unwarranted opposition.
never forget? Moving family lock stock and bar- rel to Namibia, (Southwest Africa) to manage the Rossing Uranium Mine. What do you love most about this business? The excitement of finding or de - veloping a significant ore body to an operating property. I always wanted to find and develop my own miner - al deposit but was not successful in the finding part. Also, mining has its unique problems and working to solve them is very gratifying; I ran a barite mine in Nevada back in the 60s. We shipped barite in 100-ton RR cars to Texas for processing. The density of barite made it very difficult to esti - mate the load in the cars. I developed a hydraulic pressure measurement system installed in the loader cylin- ders to weight each pass. We never had an over-loaded car after that. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? In spite of the resistance, mining has to move forward against the tide
FACES, CONTINUED from PAGE 18
beyond expectations; it will pay re- wards. Honesty and transparency, al- though it could be a bit troubling at the moment will always be honored in the end. Be honest and transpar- ent and at the time you will have to take actions that are or could be con- troversial; but they will or should be great if backed by practical applica- tions. Don’t hesitate to do what needs to be done. What would you do differently? I have moved around a lot in the interest of improvement and expanded knowledge. This was not a wise move on my part, but I can’t change history. Looking back, I would have chosen to find a great employer, initially Ken - necott Copper Corporation, Ruth, Ne- vada and stick with that. I was a Ken- necott Scholar and should have stayed with them, but it is what it is. What was one experience you will
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The Alaska Miner
Spring 2023 9/29/21 2:37 PM
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What keeps you awake at night? The above, the politization of the permitting pro- cess and the federal government’s unwarranted med- dling in the permitting process. And what does AMA mean to you? I have been a member of AMA since 1981. I have held the position of Statewide President of the organi- zation, chapter Chairman several times, Chapter Sec- retary, Director, and otherwise participated in various committees of the organization. I fully support the organization to the extent possible. I have not served as a director recently to allow the younger members to become more active. I consider that AMA is very necessary organization needed to move the mining industry forward and to effectively communicate with the public. AMA’s in - volvement in legislation and regulations is a very im- portant aspect. Participation in resisting onerous permitting deci- sions such as the pre-emptive Pebble decision is crit- ically important as well. What do you do for fun? I like to hunt, fish, visit with family particularly with grandchildren, go for walks with my little dog. I also like to prospect for hard rock, placer gold and other minerals. Drone photography is a lot of fun and can be a very good tool for effective communications.
19 STATE CLAIMS IN VALDEZ CREEK MINING DISTRICT CLEARWATER MOUNTAIN RANGE, ALASKA Total 760 acres. Placer and Load claims. Virgin ground has one mile on Roosevelt Creek and one mile on El Dorado Creek. ( source: Black Creek fault ) Resistivity mapping of bedrock 08/2022
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Photos Courtesy Stantec
Inspection of Underground Electrical Distribution System.
Energy efficiency vital in decarbonizing a mine
BY DEBRA JOHNSON, SENIOR STRATEGIST, ESG, NET ZERO AND SUSTAINABLE MINING, MINEALS AND METALS, STANTEC Mining companies with ambitious net zero goals need urgency to make changes now. An energy audit is a good place to start. Did your parents remind you to: “Close the door! You’re letting the heat out!”? Or did they warn you
that accelerating quickly while driv- ing would waste gas? If this sounds familiar, you already get the concept of what an energy auditor does. The mining, minerals, and metals indus- try can utilize energy auditors to im- prove energy efficiency and stream - line operations. In examples from your home, en- ergy savings exist on a small scale. In the world of mining, the scales are much larger, as is the level of com- plexity. But the reality is the same:
saving energy saves money.
How does an energy audit relate to achieving net zero and reducing green- house gases? It is important to remember that energy includes both electricity and fuel. Energy efficiency in both ar - eas can also lead to the reduction of greenhouse gases (GHG). All major mining companies who belong to the International Council on Mining and Metals are committed to achieving net
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zero carbon by 2050 or sooner. With current technology, we can know how much energy is being used in various mining and process- ing functions. In the past, mining companies could dismiss energy as “uncontrollable” in relation to other costs. That is simply not the case to- day. Even across different power sup - plies, we can assess how much energy is used. A mine might run off diesel generators because it has no connec- tion to the grid. Or, it may have clean hydro power supplied by a local util- ity. In either case, there is a cost in- volved. Understanding a mine’s energy should kickstart efficiency discus - sions to reduce energy usage, GHG emissions, and overall cost. The en- ergy audit is the catalyst to start these discussions. The resulting energy re- ductions will reduce our industry’s GHG emissions. Why conduct an energy audit? Reducing energy use and/or the cost of operating the mine is typically the key objective of an energy audit. It is important to fully understand the goals of the organization and its
stakeholders beyond general objec- tives. Mine managers and owners should determine their own “why” for conducting the audit because that will shape the scope of the work. Other potential benefits of an en - ergy audit may include: n Building a world-class mining operation n Improving processes, systems, and behaviors n Instilling efficient and effective mining practices n Identifying ways to digitize, improve safety, and reduce GHG emissions n Gaining a competitive advan- tage n Creating a culture that builds awareness around ways to improve How does it work? The idea of an energy audit is nothing new. We have seen it on a small scale in our own homes, but it’s also existed for decades in commer- cial buildings. The tools that auditors use for formal building audits provide a basis for understanding mining en- ergy audits. However, there are dis- tinct differences. Audits for buildings
are well-defined with standards. The American Society of Heating, Refrig- erating and Air Conditioning Engi- neers is a primary one. Typically, energy use across buildings is pre- dictable and measurable. The stan- dards and consistency allow auditors to use benchmarks. In contrast, mining energy audits have no formal guidelines. Mining operations have far more variables. Key variables may include the mine’s commodity, size or depth, location, age, and methods. An additional vari- able that can also make comparative benchmarking difficult in mining is mineral deposit quality. Lower grades with more waste rock will take more energy to mine and process. Auditors also must consider the energy demand of mining haul trucks. These trucks can be the size of a house! They can burn as much as 80 gallons of fuel per hour or more, cre- ating an immense carbon footprint. The truck’s footprint is intensified by the materials used to build the truck and the supplies used to maintain it. CONTINUED on PAGE 24
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The Alaska Miner
uses in mind. 3. Identify and examine poten- tial energy conservation measures (ECMs) that might reduce energy use and/or cost. 4. Perform engineering and eco- nomic analyses of potential ECMs. 5. Compute carbon emissions to profile a baseline carbon footprint and future impact from the ECMs. 6. Prepare a prioritized list of suitable ECMs. 7. Prepare a report of the analy- sis process and results. An energy balance estimates ma- jor energy users, then balances them against utility and fuel bills. It should include all energy sources such as electricity, diesel, natural gas, and re- newables. Because large energy users at a mine may dwarf the myriad of smaller equipment and there may be gaps in available energy information, the full version of an energy balance typically used in traditional energy audits may not be of material value. Site visits and interviews build on this analysis. These visits enable auditors to gather more detailed in- formation about large energy uses, discrepancies, suggestions for im-
provement, and more. On-site ob- servations, measurements, and engi- neering estimates include basics such as lighting, HVAC, and motors. Min- ing energy audits expand on this to include haulage, pumping, crushing, processing, ventilation, conveying systems, and other systems. Based on this work, energy audi- tors then prepare a report outlining the ECMs they identified. This re - port presents the estimated costs and benefits of the ECM projects. Results should provide information that man- agers need to decide if the site should apply the ECMs. Not a perfect process As with any tool, limits exist. En- ergy-audits may not factor decisions made in mine design, planning, and purchasing activities. Such factors may add more complexity than the scope of the audit permits. In addi- tion, audits typically don’t capture the energy impact from the dynamic na- ture of a mine site. For example, auditors can’t gen- erally account for changing ore
EFFICIENCY, CONTINUED from PAGE 23
This is not an issue for building au- dits. Given the complexity of most op- erations, a mine energy audit team should understand the inner workings of mining and processing operations. The team should also have knowledge about the broad spectrum of equip- ment in use as well as alternatives to them. A strong energy audit team in- cludes specialists in mining, process- ing, electrical engineering, fleets, and sustainability. Having this depth of experience on the team creates a greater under- standing of the mine complex, which leads to better outcomes. This ensures a thorough analysis of the energy-us- ing systems. An energy audit general- ly includes these steps: 1. Collect and analyze historical energy use to create an energy balance, and/or evaluate the energy consumption by identifying the largest energy-con- suming processes and equipment. 2. Study the mine site and its operations with these major energy
CONTINUED on PAGE 26
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The Alaska Miner
Spring 2023
Photo Courtesy Stantec
Inspection of Underground Pump Controls.
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Spring 2023
The Alaska Miner
EFFICIENCY, CONTINUED from PAGE 24
quality, modified production sched - ules, or staff turnover. These changing conditions could mean new opportu- nities to improve energy efficiency. Or they may offset previous gains. Therefore, energy audits should be conducted regularly or when major workflows change. Energy audit as part one An energy audit is a great first step on the path to net zero. It can identify “low-hanging fruit” that has a low-cost relative to its poten- tial savings. A proactive mine op- erator who implements ECMs from the audit is setting the mine up for success. The mine can both improve its bottom line and reduce its carbon footprint. As mines look five, 10 or 20 years into the future to achieve their net zero commitments, they must act now on financially viable ECMs. Management needs a sense of ur- gency—and this urgency is increas- ingly important. Pressure from con- sumers and governments is rising as
Photo Courtesy Stantec
Underground Electrical Distribution Panel.
they reward or penalize mining oper- ations based on carbon emissions. When mine owners can improve energy efficiency with quick paybacks and without disrupting production, both the mine and our environment
win. Much like at home when mom or dad said: “Close the door! Keep the warm air inside!” A version of this article first appeared on Stantec.com
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The Alaska Miner
Spring 2023
R etiring After Over 70 Years….. Well Drilling Equipment for Sale Plus lots of Extra’s
Equipment: 1973 THH-15 Top Drive Koehring SpeedStar with 350 Cummins Motor. Comes with 100 SDS Compressor (600 CFM/125 PSI or 450/250) Has a 250 Amp Lincoln Welder, 1321 Weldco- Beales Casing Hammer, and Hydraulic Table with Wrench. Drills up to 16” thru Table. Other Drilling Supplies include about 600’ of 4-1/2 by 2-7/8 IF Drill Stem, Bailer, Casing Puller, Casing Perforator and also about 300’ of each 4-1/2”, 6”, and 8” Reverse-Circulation Drill Stem and Cyclones and lots of extras including a Duel Motor TopDrive for the RC Drilling. 1996 T-600 Kenworth Boom Truck - with 350 Cummins, 13 Spd Transmission - PTO Drive and also with a 55’ National Crane w/ Out Riggers
that can operated from either side. Truck has a 23’ Flatbed Deck w/ Flip up Tailgate. Has a 100 Gallon Transfer Tank w/ Air Pump, 100 Gallon Drive Tank and has 3 Side Boxes. Mobile Service Trailer Van - which includes many Reverse-Circulation Tools, Fittings & Etc. Many Extra’s - Collars, Stabilizers, Water Tanks and more. For more information, please call our office and speak to Ted Schachle: PENN JERSEY DRILLING INC. (907)892-7206
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The Alaska Miner
Alaska Women in Mining Kinross Women’s Day events
Photos Courtesy Kinross Alaska Kinross Alaska celebrated International Women’s Day recently with a special gold pour for the ladies across the site. For almost all of the women, it was their first chance to see a gold pour. The MEM team painted a shovel bowl purple to honor the day and to be a constant reminder of International Women’s Day. Each Alaska sire held a brunch for all employees to discuss equality in the workplace. The mine leadership team talked about how women’s rights and influence have changed over the years, and several departments created auction baskets for a silent auction, where all proceeds will benefit the Farthest North Girl Scout Chapter in Fairbanks. Kinross Alaska wrapped up a a donation drive for the Interior Alaska Center for Non-Violent Living (women’s shelter) at the end of March. Female miners in its mentorship program and Kinross General Manager Terence Watungwa surprised the IACNVL with an investment into the clients they serve in the community.
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The Alaska Miner
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