Last week, the Alaska Miners Association celebrated its 80th anniversary with a week-long convention in Anchorage.  Miners and mining enthusiasts – from placer to hard rock to rare earth in nature – came from across the state and around the world. There were technical discussions with topics focused on the engineering, geoscience and technologies necessary to prospect and produce a working mine.  There were updates from some of the projects – large and small – on the progress being made to extract from Alaska’s vast wealth of earthen riches.  There were panel discussions on topics such as the social impacts…

Alaska’s history with industrialized mining goes back to the 1870s, when placer miners began prospecting throughout communities in southeast Alaska. A panel discussion this morning at the Alaska Miners’ Association’s annual conference focused on the recent push by environmental extremists to damage the integrity, performance, safety and environmental record of miners across Alaska. From the Red Dog Mine in northwest Alaska, where Teck Resources has partnered with NANA – the area’s Regional Native Corporation – and now boasts over 60% regional hire, to an influx of women and minority groups in the industry across the state. Andy Cole with Donlin…