The Alaska Miner Spring 2024 54 Brian Forrest, Promising Prospector Award Presented by Ethan Trickey The Promising Prospector Award honors a new face or up and coming Alaska miner who has made a positive impact on the mining industry in Alaska. This award will recognize a miner who embodies a passion and commitment to promote Alaska through responsible mineral development. Brian Forrest embodies the passion, initiative, leadership, and community spirit the Promising Prospector Award seeks to honor. He has the potential to positively shape Alaska's future of mining, making him a great candidate for this award. At the Alaska Miners Association (AMA), fostering youth involvement in our industry has been a focus for the last several years. Our efforts to engage the next generation have really started to pay off, as evidenced by the increasing participation of dynamic young professionals in AMA's activities. Brian’s journey in the mining industry started as a toddler who was still in diapers. On his great-grandfather’s lap, he would ride alongside him on mining equipment at the family’s placer mine just outside of Manley Hot Springs. He regularly interacts with miners and AMA members. This has helped him foster a deep appreciation for the industry and spurred him to take an active role in its advancement. He was among the first to raise his hand when the Fairbanks Convention Planning Committee was formed. His nominator said, “I recall meeting him for the first time during one of our meetings. You could tell he would volunteer to get things done and had a notable passion for supporting the industry. As a born and raised Fairbanksan, he leverages longstanding local connections and has no issue with picking up the phone to make a call or to call in a favor.” His commitment to professional development and continual learning is evident in his proactive involvement in AMA's meetings, committees, and educational events. His openness to new ideas and eagerness to expand his knowledge base reflects a dedication to personal improvement and elevating industry standards. His active involvement in AMA has also connected him to the important mission of Alaska Resource Education. In November, he
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTcxMjMwNg==