Mining legend gives back Roger Burggraf donates collection to museum Spring 2025 Volume 53, Number 4 Online: AlaskaMiners.org The official magazine of the Alaska Miners Association and the mining industry in Alaska INSIDE: Bob Stiles remembered for a life of service to resource development
vance Alaska mining and our way of life. You are truly one of a kind, and it's an honor to call you a friend! There are a number of other incredible stories you will read in this edition of The Alaska Miner, including: n A goodbye to my friend Bob Stiles and the legacy he left in his own right in Alaska and for resource development (Page 18) n The outlook for Alaska gold with prices continuing to climb to record highs and beyond (Page 24) n The importance of Alaska coal amid President Trump's announcement promoting the industry (Page 28) n Alaska Mining Day and why it continues to be such an important milestone (Page 32) Moving forward with the rest of 2025, we will have many more opportunities to share what Alaska mining truly means — and which all of you already 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. 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, and especially this November at our annual convention in Anchorage. Best wishes for a great summer! Deantha Skibinski, AMA Executive Director Dear Alaska Miners, Sliding headfirst into May, and it is amazing to think of what has taken place over the past handful of months. These are truly monumental times for our industry. I think our Federal Oversight co-chairman JP Tangen put it best when he recently announced on a statewide Zoom, “I have never in my decades of working in mining witnessed such forward shift in federal policy and such a spotlight on our industry.” It is true: mining is playing a key and center role in Washington, D.C., with much of its attention on the West and in Alaska. AMA has been in multiple important venues the past few months, advocating for our members and for Alaska. We just wrapped up the Alaska on the Hill events in Washington, and our group of 120 Alaskans from mining, oil and gas, fishing, forestry, tourism, construction, Alaska Native organizations, and business members had facetime with dozens of members of Congress, the Trump Administration, including Department of Interior Secretary Doug Bergum. Being able to share the importance that Alaska mining plays at the state, federal and global level to those individuals who help enact large policy decisions is usually among the biggest challenges we have. But right now, it is immense opportunity. We were able to share information about large mining operations, placer mining (thank you to Paul Manuel for making the trip, it is going to be a highlight of my career to share placer mining information in our nation’s capital), exploration, and so much more. And we did that alongside our partners in other industries to present a united front that left a meaningful impact on those we met with. It truly is a blessing to have such a robust and well-rounded coalition to help share our stories and support our mission. Thank you to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to join us! We will have much more about the event and what was discussed in coming publications. Looking ahead, there are numerous 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. Governor Dunleavy’s Alaska Sustainable Energy Conference in June will put mining at the forefront in several discussions. And that’s just what lies ahead in the next four weeks! I smile when I write this next part. It has been really heartwarming to follow Roger Burggraf and his amazing contributions to Alaska mining. Roger is on the cover of this publication for his generous donation of his personal gold collection to the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks. This is another opportunity to recognize one of the greatest Alaska miners who has or ever will call our state home, and his donation to the Museum will ensure his contributions are remembered long into the future. Roger is a true pioneer but also one of the kindest and most generous men you may ever come across. Thank you, Roger, for everything you have done to ad- Executive Director’s Report www.AlaskaMiners.org 1
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www.AlaskaMiners.org 3 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. Ted Hawley Anchorage Ethan Trickey Denali Dave Larimer Fairbanks Jan Hill Haines Jason Hart Juneau Houston Morris Kenai Ken Hughes Nome Robert Fithian Ketchikan/Prince of Wales Deantha Skibinski Executive Director Jennifer Luiten Membership and Fundraising Director Carin Currier Projects & Communications Manager Darlene Strickland Bookkeeping and Membership EXECUTIVE BOARD EDITORIAL CALENDAR ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION STAFF BRANCH CHAIRMEN Lorali Simon President, Usibelli Coal Mine, Healy Blake Bogart First Vice President, Graphite One Inc., Nome Houston Morris Second Vice President, IPA Alaska, Soldotna Kim Aasand Treasurer, Aasand & Glore LLC., Anchorage 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. 1 Executive Director’s Report 4 Message from AMA's President 14 Barrick Sells Stake in Donlin Project 24 Record Gold Prices Spur Big Year 28 Coal Mining Receives New Support 32 Alaska Mining Day Returns 40 Graphite One Triples Its Forecast 44 Newest Mining Business and Service Directory TABLE OF CONTENTS ON THE COVER: Legendary Alaska miner Roger Burggraf recently announced a donation of his personal gold collection to the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks. To honor Burggraf’s amazing contribution, the museum is designing a new exhibit on the history of Alaska gold mining. See more on Page 6 about Roger and his iconic career. Photo Courtesy Roger Burggraf THIS PAGE: Alaska miners showed up in force recently in Washington, D.C. for the annual Alaska on the Hill event. The event serves as an avenue to share AMA's message and the importance of Alaska mining to elected officials and stakeholders at the federal level and beyond. We will share many more details from the event in coming publications. AMA Photo The official magazine of the Alaska Miners Association and the mining industry in Alaska Summer 2025 People in Mining Fall 2025 Annual Anchorage Convention Winter 2026 Legislative and Season Preview Spring 2026 Project Updates
President’s Message From Lorali Simon "As we start this new era of partnership between the federal government and Alaska mining, it is important that we be proactive and not wait. In the first days of the first Trump Administration a wise Alaskan said 'You've got four years … don't waste it!' ” What a whirlwind of a spring it has been! With a new administration in Washington and a new dedication to resource development, especially in Alaska, there may have never been a better time to be a miner. Elsewhere in this magazine you will see more, as you are seeing every day in the traditional media, about the new dedication to develop Alaska’s resources that's coming from the Trump Administration. In my last column, I celebrated the great potential President Trump and his team have launched for Alaska, and Alaska mining in particular. It is remarkable to reverse the huge ship of the federal government from very anti- to very pro-mining in days, but that is what we have seen. As we start this new era of partnership between the federal government and Alaska mining, it is important that we be proactive and not wait. In the first days of the first Trump Administration a wise Alaskan said “You've got four years … don't waste it!” The point then and the point now remains. Nothing set by elected leadership is permanent. For those of us having business plans and development that has required decades, the days of favorable winds need to be not just celebrated but put to good use! As we learned in the last eight years, favorable policies from our nation's capital can make or break much of the rest of what we endeavor to do, to develop Alaska’s natural resources. So now is the time to move forward in teamwork with our state government and leadership, to move on projects that have been waiting far too long. This challenge is not specific to Alaska or the United States; it is influenced by international forces. We need a long-term global perspective for both our solutions and partnerships. The record-setting monetary value of our resources, especially critical minerals, provides huge economic incentive as well. It is a very good time to be in mining! Alaska’s mining industry faces a critical call to action. Whether through testifying, donating, or investing in long-delayed projects, it is time to act. It is time to put all our cards on the table, and get to work. Let me recap some key points that I mentioned previously, President Trump has consistently advocated for increased resource development as a means of boosting economic growth and energy independence. In Alaska, this approach is particularly relevant given the state's rich mineral resources. n One of the most notable aspects of Trump's approach to governance is his commitment to reducing regulatory burdens on The time is right for working together The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 4
www.AlaskaMiners.org 5 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! businesses. n The new administration has focused on legislation aimed at streamlining the permitting process for energy projects, including mining operations. For Alaska's mining industry, permitting reform could result in faster approval times for new projects, reducing the time and costs associated with regulatory compliance. n President Trump has consistently advocated for increased resource development as a means of boosting economic growth and energy independence. In Alaska, this approach is particularly relevant given the state's rich mineral resources. n Gov. Mike Dunleavy and other political leaders in Alaska have expressed their backing for Trump's pro-mining stance, viewing it as a way to stimulate the state's economy and create jobs. n By working in tandem with the federal government, Alaska's political leaders can help create a more favorable environment for the mining industry to thrive. I look forward to working with you in these exciting days ahead! Lorali Simon is Vice President of External Affairs for Usibelli Coal Mine Fireweed Strategies LLC has expanded our Alaska team for our Alaska magazines for 2025, including The Alaska Miner and other AMA publications. Will Leschper is now leading all content, design and production for our Alaska Miners Association as well as other Fireweed publications including those of the Alaska Support Industry Alliance and the Resource Development Council for Alaska. He has been the designer and production manager of AMA publications since 2019. Will is a nationally recognized writer and photographer, and a frequent contributor to national magazines with more than 20 years in publishing. Direct news, photos and story requests for the Miner to Will (leschperw@gmail.com). Mary (Leschper) Schaper is now supporting business and advertising for all Fireweed publications for 2025. Mary has over a decade of experience in energy policy communications in Washington, D.C., with roles on U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s staff, on the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and at the American Petroleum Institute. Mary is the primary contact for advertising and financial questions (mary@lunastrategiesdc.com). Lee Leschper remains the CEO of Fireweed Strategies, an Anchorage-based LLC founded in 2015 to share the full story of Alaska’s resource development industries. As some of you may have heard, Lee was involved in an accident last fall, but he remains committed to Fireweed’s mission while continuing his recovery. Fireweed Strategies publishes unique magazines that connect key industries with diverse audiences while highlighting resource development’s impact on the state’s economy and national security. Note from Publisher Fireweed Strategies
The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 6 Legendary miner's life to be on display at UA Museum of the North Alaska mining icon Roger Burggraf has generously donated his personal gold collection to the Univeristy of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks. The collection spans his nearly 50-year career as a miner and mine operator, and will be part of an exhibition on gold mining history that will be created at the museum. The highly condensed history of Alaska gold mining will include key individuals from the turn of the 20th century, including operators of small claims up to dredges. It will also include the transition period into modern large industrial efforts through present day. The exhibit will showcase alluring gold nuggets, as well as dust and representative ore samples collected over Roger’s lifetime. Audio clips from interviews with Roger will share personal insights to this history in his own words. Stories from historians and other miners will be incorporated as well. The exhibit will feature wall panels and a large, custom-built case in the museum’s Gallery of Alaska. As currently conceived, the grounding visual element will be a geologic map of Interior Alaska with many newly donated objects mounted directly over the map to highlight local mining history, its geographic scale and Roger Burggraf donating gold collection to museum CONTINUED on PAGE 8 Photo Courtesy Kinross Alaska Roger with Kinross Gold Corporation’s Paul Rollinson at the groundbreaking for the Manh Choh Mine.
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its diverse practices. The exhibit design and installation is scheduled to be a two-year project. The tentative timeline includes: n Exhibit development with stakeholders (minimally eight months) n Exhibit design phase (approximately four months) n Custom-built display case manufacturing and shipping (minimally six months) n Target installation in First Quarter 2027 This extended project timeline reflects coordination with other exhibit projects and the time to meaningfully communicate with all stakeholders. The museum is currently raising funds to support the design, installation and maintenance of the exhibit. A gift to this project is eligible for the Alaska Education Tax Credit. Gifts from corporations who pay certain taxes to the State of Alaska may qualify for this tax benefit. Please consult your tax professionals to verify your eligibility. To make a gift via check: Please make the check payable to "UA Foundation" On the memo line, please include "UAMN Gold Mining Exhibit" to properly route your gift. Please mail the check to: UA Foundation PO Box 755080 Fairbanks, AK 99775 If you have questions on donations and ways to support this project, please email ajallegood@alaska.edu or call 907-378-1205. Roger Burggraf: An Alaskan legend For most of 70 years, Roger has worked and explored and built and mined in Alaska. He has had enough adventures for 10 lifetimes. And he’s not done yet. Along the way, he has dedicated his life in Alaska to causes he believes in, everything from training sled dogs to mining, resource development and lowering energy costs. Growing up in New York State, he had been on his own since age 14, and worked on farms and ranches from Upstate New York to Wyoming. A love of wild things and adventure and a desire for knowledge led him to the opportunity to attend college at Cornell University. “It was a great experience, and I The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 8 BURGGRAF, CONTINUED from PAGE 6 Photo Courtesy Roger Burggraf Roger and his wife, DeLois, were recognized recently at a Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce luncheon honoring their donation to the UA Museum of the North and celebrating their amazing contributions to Alaska. CONTINUED on PAGE 10
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made many lifelong friends there.” While going to college he made the best of his time seeking adventure and work. He traveled to Alaska the first time and found work in Tom Morgan’s lumber mill. After the mill shut down, he worked const ruction setting power lines going to the airport and residential area north of Juneau. Roger loved playing sports and played 150-pound football and lacrosse while at Cornell. He joined a small fraternity and waited tables and washed dishes to help pay his way through while at the fraternity. His primary major was wildlife management, and geology and agriculture. During his second year at Cornell, he spent the summer months working in Alaska. “I lived with a family and got a job with Smith Dairy working in the milk plant. The family I lived with loved it because I was able to bring home free milk, ice cream and other dairy products. His next summer job was for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a “fisheries aide,” more correctly a stream guard, protecting spawning salmon from poachers. There, his adventures really began. “First thing was they asked if I was afraid of bears. I said I’d been around them and knew to respect them. And they said ‘we’ve got just the spot for you! So, they handed me an old Enfield .30/06 and dropped me off in Glacier Bay.” Provisions were meager so he quickly began living off the land, which he relished, except for the bugs. “Lot of times mosquitoes were so bad I would take the boat out in the middle of the bay. A seal popped his head out of the water, and I was hungry for meat, so I shot the seal. I got to shore, cut off a piece and put it in the frying pan. And it smelled awful! Next, I cut out the liver, fried it and boy it was good!” He had crafted a primitive cooler, kept stocked with ice from passing icebergs and kept his provisions cold. “Besides the seal liver and fish, I feasted on Dungeness crabs and clams, and t he blueberries and strawberries which were abundant.” With no neighbors and a job guarding the creek full of salmon, he reveled in the wilderness. “They gave me a boat and motor and tent and orders to not let any fishermen fish out the creek. I did stream surveys too. It was like a paid vacation!” “I’d go upstream, catch dollies, The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 10 CONTINUED on PAGE 12 Roger has worked and explored and built and mined in Alaska. He has had enough adventures for 10 lifetimes! BURGGRAF, CONTINUED from PAGE 8
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The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 12 smoke the small ones and eat them like candy when out in the field.” The brown bears who also came to fish provided adventures as well. “I had a couple of close calls when working around brown bears. “When I came to Alaska I couldn’t afford a modern pistol, but I felt better packing a pistol, so I had an old Civil War cap-and-ball revolver that I had gotten from my stepfather.” For clarification, a cap-and-ball pistol uses black powder and when fired, produces lots of white smoke. “I was going upstream and had seen lots of bears but every time they took off. Then this one bear was fishing, and I had lots of fun watching him. Then he saw me and started walking toward me. Every step I took backward he took one forward. I jumped up on a big snag washed down in the creek and he came at me. I tried to hit on the nose with my salmon snagging stick, but he swatted it away. “I had not had a chance to pull out the revolver, and he came again, and he hit me across legs. I went up in air but was able to pull the revolver. Now he was probably a foot from me. I fired and hit him in the head, but the bullet ricocheted off his skull. “And right then I couldn’t help but laugh! Here’s this bear with a huge ring of smoke around his head. I cocked it again, but he just turned and took off!” Another time on a foggy day, he heard a caught a group of fishermen about to net a stream. They fled when he approached, so he followed in the fog in his small boat. “I could hear whales in distance sounding. Sitting there in the fog, it was an eerie situation. All of a sudden, the water next to the boat exploded and a whale came up for air. All I could see was straight into his eyeball. I always wondered what he thought but luckily, he wasn’t upset!” “Experiences like that leave everlasting impressions.” Roger switched his college major to wildlife management and graduated from Cornell with that and a minor in geology. Roger had served in the Naval Reserve at 17, wanting to be a pilot but was color blind. After college, he received a commission in the U.S. Army Artillery and served on active duty from 1957 to 1959. “I got a commission and went to Army Ranger School. I really enjoyed the service but came straight back to Alaska as soon as I got out in 1959.” As now a captain in the Alaska National Guard, he was the first commander of the new National Guard Armory in Fairbanks. After his military service, he worked in banking for 14 years and enjoyed the banking business until entering the mining industry in 1972. Roger had had a love of sled dogs going back to college and now had the place and time to develop that into a full-time hobby. He purchased an Army sled dog pup from Carl Heinmiller of Haines, Alaska. That pup later lost his left leg after being hit by a car and forever more was known as “Tripod.” “Tripod used to follow me to class at Cornell. When I went into the service, I left him with my fraternity. He became a famous dog on campus, after during the big rivalry game with Syracuse, he ran the full length of the field and disrupted the kickoff!” Fairbanks has been home to Roger since 1959. “I’ve had a lot of good years here. I drove dogs for years, made quite a few big expeditions. I had big malamutes, freight dogs, so we did lots of cross-country stuff. I worked as a VIP helping the park service train its dogs for freighting. It was a lot of fun. I always had Alaska malamutes. I stuck with purebreds and showed them too.” It was another family friend who whetted his appetite for mining in 1945. His stepfather often brough home military veterans, as commander of the local American Legion Post, and one was a former member of the famous Black Sheep Squadron from the Pacific War, a medal of honor winner. “He was a geologist, working in South America, and he came back with a mineral set, which got my curiosity up. I’d done a little prospecting in Southeast Alaska and always had that interest in mining and minerals. So, it whetted my whistle.” It was the wild people of Alaska as much as the wildlife that he came to love. He befriended a homesteader in Icy Strait who sparked his interest in mining. “Joe Ibach had been a fox farmer, guide, entertained famous people who wanted to come and hunt. He was also interested in mining. He’d built his fireplace with gold and copper ore which he’d mined.” He had also befriended another older timer who died, leaving a poke of gold. “He gave me a nugget that I kept until I gave it to girl from college that I married.” “I worked on the pipeline, was a laborer, had a lot of crazy experiences. They were a rough and tumble group but since I’d left home, I’d been able to take care of myself. Roger worked the pipeline, made good money, and bought the old Grant Mine, on Esther Dome near Fairbanks. He has been working that property for close to 48 years. He enjoyed hardrock underground mining and worked for Silverado Gold Mine at Nolan Creek. “We had some good years and some tough years.” Nolan Creek is legendary for the large gold nuggets it has produced. “We did quite well, but of course when we did well, the price of gold dropped to $260 an ounce. We had some of the finest placer gold in Alaska but no market at that time.” The largest nugget Silverado mined was 43.75 ounces, and many others of 18 to 20 ounces. For decades, he has served Alaska, advising, and advocating for resource development efforts and organizations. “While I was mining and developing the mine, I became active in the Miners Association. I was the statewide president back in 1983-1984 and am a director emeritus. “I got involved in different organizations and advisory groups, because I’ve always be interested in people and politics.” His banking background also proved invaluable on boards where financial expertise was often lacking. He is an Alaska pioneer and also remains active in Fairbanks civic events and the Greater Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce. In 2014, the Alaska Chamber of Commerce named him the William Egan Outstanding Alaskan of the Year, in recognition of his many years advocating for resource development and education. “I had no inkling,” he said at the time. “I still am sort of shocked. I’ve just sort of done things as they’ve come along. “It’s been a good life.” BURGGRAF, CONTINUED from PAGE 10
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The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 14 $1 billion transaction transfers 50% of the Donlin Gold project NovaGold Resources Inc. and Paulson Advisers LLC announced April 22 that they have entered into a definitive agreement with Barrick Gold Corporation to acquire Barrick’s 50% interest in Donlin Gold LLC for $1 billion in cash — creating a new partnership between NovaGold and Paulson to develop the Donlin Gold project in Alaska. Pursuant to the agreement, NovaGold will acquire a 10% interest in Donlin Gold LLC for $200 million, which will increase its ownership interest in Donlin Gold LLC from 50% to 60%, and Paulson will acquire a 40% interest in Donlin Gold LLC for $800 million and will share responsibility as a full and equal partner in project management of Donlin Gold. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions and is expected to close late in the second or early in the third quarter of 2025. At the closing of the transaction, NovaGold and Paulson will enter into an amended and restated limited liability company agreement governing Donlin Gold (the “LLC Agreement”), pursuant to which NovaGold and Paulson will have equal governance rights. To finance NovaGold’s portion of the acquisition, funding commitments were obtained from Paulson, The Electrum Group (“Electrum”), and Kopernik Global Investors, LLC (“Kopernik”) to subscribe for up to $170 million of common shares at $3 per share, with the balance of $30 million to be funded from NovaGold’s treasury. As part of the funding agreement, Paulson, Electrum, and Kopernik received five-year warrants to purchase an aggregate of 25.5 million common shares of NovaGold at $3 per share. NovaGold will evaluate a range of alternative financing options to replace all or part of the funding commitments, although NovaGold is not required under the funding agreement to seek any alternative financing. Any funds raised by NovaGold would first be used to reduce its $30 million cash commitment. NovaGold was granted an option to purchase the outstanding debt owed to Barrick in connection with the Donlin Gold project for $90 million if purchased prior to closing, or for $100 million if purchased within 18 months from closing, when the option expires. If that option is not exercised, the debt will remain outstanding, substantially in accordance with its existing terms. In addition to approval by NovaGold’s Board of Directors, the transaction has also been approved by a Special Committee of the Board composed entirely of directors who are independent of Electrum 1, NovaGold’s largest shareholder. Following the closing of the transaction, under the direction of the new partners, Donlin Gold expects to: n Immediately commence the various workstreams to update the Feasibility Study 2 , including assembling a specially dedicated team to advance these efforts; n Shift the 2025 drill program’s focus to the conversion and expansion of Donlin Gold’s reserves and resources, with both partners committed to exploring for new resources along strike and to depth in future campaign seasons; n Advance technical work and engineering designs; n Continue to support state permitting efforts and maintain existing federal and state permits in good standing, including government affairs engagement with federal and state representatives; and n Enhance social license, with ongoing community outreach and investment initiatives with partners and landowners, Calista Corporation (“Calista”) and The Kuskokwim Corporation (TKC). “Donlin Gold is one of the most attractive development gold projects in the world. With 39 million ounces of gold at double the industry average grade, and an optimal location in the prime jurisdiction of Alaska — already the second largest gold-producing state in the United States — we believe that the project could create value for decades to come. "Enjoying excellent social license and formidable exploration upside potential to significantly expand its resources and production profile, Donlin Gold constitutes a superb opportunity for us to gain leverage to gold in the United States at an attractive valuation. Together with Donlin Gold’s partners, Calista and TKC, we are dedicated to responsibly advance the Donlin Gold project," Chairman John Paulson said. “The announcement of our new partner, Paulson, marks the watershed moment in our company’s ambition to unlock conscientiously the full value of Donlin Gold. For such a prescient and illustrious gold investor as John Paulson to share our belief that Donlin Gold constitutes one of the best and most jurisdictionally attractive gold development projects in the world — and indeed worthy of such an extraordinary investment — is truly catalytic for NovaGold," said Dr. Thomas S. Kaplan, NovaGold’s Chairman. Located in the Kuskokwim region in Southwest Alaska, Donlin Gold hosts approximately 39 million ounces of gold in Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources (inclusive of mineral reserves), of which NovaGold’s 60% attributed interest would represent 23.4 million ounces following the closing of the transaction. If developed as contemplated by the 2021 Technical Report and the S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary, Donlin Gold is projected to have a 27-year mine life, with average annual production expected to reach approximately 1.1 million ounces. Furthermore, the new partners believe there’s considerable exploration potential in the project, as Donlin Gold’s current resources span approximately three kilometers of an eight-kilometer mineralized belt. This represents only approximately 5% of the total land package. Donlin Gold has maintained its state and federal permits in good standing and benefits from being in the State of Alaska with both community and state support. Paulson Advisers, NovaGold buy Barrick's Donlin stake
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Todd Dahlman, a 40-year mining veteran who recently served as deputy general manager at Kinross Gold's Fort Knox mine, has been tapped as the new general manager for the world-class Donlin Gold project in Southwest Alaska. Being advanced toward a production decision by Donlin Gold LLC, this enormous mine project hosts 504.81 million metric tons of proven and probable reserves averaging 2.09 grams per metric ton (33.9 million oz) gold. A feasibility study completed in 2011 detailed plans for a mine at Donlin that would produce more than 1 million oz of gold annually over an initial 25 years of mining. Dahlman joins Donlin Gold as it carries out a roughly 15,000-meter infill drill program that is expected to help upgrade resources that can then be converted to reserves when the joint venture is ready to update the 14-yearold feasibility study. Updates to the feasibility study ahead of a mine development decision for Donlin have been delayed due in part to legal challenges to previously issued permits for developing the proposed mine and a natural gas pipeline to the project. Donlin Gold continues to support the state and federal agencies as they defend their permits. Dahlman brings a proven track record in operational excellence, team leadership, and community engagement to Donlin Gold as it positions to develop a world-class mine. Since beginning his mining career in his hometown of Butte, Mont., in 1986, Dahlman has contributed to startup and producing mining operations across the United States, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. "Todd brings exceptional expertise and a dynamic approach that we believe will complement the project's stage of development and advancement. His leadership marks an exciting new chapter, and we look forward to continued collaboration and success on the Donlin Gold project," said Donlin Gold Chairman Greg Lang. — Shane Lasley, North of 60 Mining News The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 16 Todd Dahlman joins Donlin Gold Project Photo Courtesy Donlin Gold
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The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 18 Want to be part of the Good News of Alaska Mining? Be a part of every issue of The Alaska Miner, official magazine of the Alaska Miners Association and representing Alaska’s miners and mining industry (AlaskaMiners.org). We tell the stories nobody else does. The Alaska Miner is distributed by mail and online quarterly statewide to Alaska leaders, in and outside mining. For media kits, advertising rates and information on future issues, email mary@lunastrategiesdc.com or call 907-957-6026. Complimentary subscriptions are available on request by email to admin@FireweedStrategies.com. Robert "Bob" Benton Stiles Jr., age 82, passed away on March 31, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas, surrounded by family. Born in Victoria, Texas on December 18, 1942, Bob lived a life as big, bold and spirited as the landscapes he loved to explore. Bob was a dynamic leader and global adventurer whose professional achievements were matched only by his deep civic and spiritual commitments. A tireless volunteer, accomplished international businessman, and devoted dog trainer, he brought passion, integrity, and a servant's heart to every corner of his life. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Spirit, Knights of Columbus Council 786, the San Antonio Breakfast Club, St. Vincent de Paul, and a past director of an ACTS retreat. He served as the AKC Hunt Test Chairman for the Alamo Retriever Club and trained at The Retriever Club of Alaska. He was an Eagle Scout and member of the Eagle Scout Review Board. A proud alumnus of Central Catholic High School (1961) and Texas A&M University (1968). He earned his degree from the School of Aerospace Engineering, where he served as the Chairman of the Student Branch of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Bob began his career in the aerospace industry, but it was in the resource development sector that he found his calling-serving as President of Drven Corporation, Past President of Diamond Shamrock's Bob Stiles remembered for leaving his mark on Alaska A celebration of Bob's extraordinary life will be held May 12 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio.
www.AlaskaMiners.org 19 Coal Division, Past President of the Alaska Coal Association and Past President of the Resource Development Council. His work took him from the mountains of Montana to the rugged frontiers of Alaska, and across the globe to Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, and Mexico, where he marketed projects with vision and enthusiasm. Whether building bridges between cultures or forging deals in the boardroom, Bob brought unmatched energy, curiosity, and fearlessness to the task. Bob had stories for every occasion - some that were probably better left untold, but he told them anyway. He had a wanderlust that could not be satisfied and had an everlasting sense of adventure. He hiked, biked, hunted, and fished in nearly every corner of the earth and was always up for anything that sounded remotely dangerous. He was afraid of nothing. His children will always cherish the memories made outdoors-hunting from Texas to Montana, fishing from helicopters in Alaska, 4x4ing through the backcountry in his beloved International Scout, and getting gloriously stuck in remote parts of Colorado and Montana. Bob was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Deb Stiles; his parents, Robert Benton Stiles Sr. and Rose Lavelle; his brother Doss Stiles, and his great-grandson, Henry "Hank" Haynes. He is survived by his sisters, Lisa Williams and Christine Frank (Chris); his children, Cindy Silverstein (Brad), Wendy Stiles (significant other Jeff Sill), Robert Stiles III (Lori), Scott Stiles (Marty) and his former wife, Sandra Kiolbassa, the mother of his children, with whom he shared a common bond. Bob was a proud grandfather to Katie Haynes (Mark), John Blair (Jill), Grace Torres (Ethan), Samantha Silverstein, Ellen Brodbeck, Shelby Janaky (David), Jett Power (significant other Rebecca Anthony), Rachel Cole (Padraig Keane), Shane Cole (Kaybree), Robert "Ben" Stiles IV (fiancé Reagan Hayes), Sydney Stiles, Bryton Wolfe (Kendall), Scotty Stiles, Annika Stiles, and Jovonte Ginez. He is also survived by his cherished great-grandchildren; Emily & Juliet Blair, Colton & Ava Haynes, Hudson Torres, Brody Brodbeck, Kashton & Kellan Cole, Ronan & Fianna Keane, and Jack Wolf. Many nieces and nephews and his faithful black Labrador Retriever "Major." A celebration of Bob's extraordinary life will be held May 12 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in San Antonio. There will be a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. A reception will be held at the Banquet Hall at Holy Spirit directly following the funeral.
The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 20 What is your role and how did you get into the industry? I am the Senior Mine Engineer at Usibelli Coal Mine. I started working for Usibelli as an intern in 2015 on the reclamation crew and got full-time employment after graduating in 2017 as a mining engineer. I currently work on exploration drilling, geology modeling, and the 2–7-year mine plan. I wanted to go to school for petroleum or mining engineering, with the opportunity to play college football at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology all they had was a mining program, so I enrolled. During my freshmen year, my passion grew for the mining industry, and I knew this was what I wanted to do. Who was your mentor in this industry and what did they teach you that remains true today? My mentor in this industry is my boss Fred Wallis, he is the VP of Engineering at Usibelli Coal Mine. Fred comes from a mining engineering family as his dad is also a mining engineer. As my boss and good friend, he has taught me so much over the last 9 years about engineering and professionalism. He has pushed me to be where I am today. More importantly, he has taught me how to navigate the work-life balance which is crucial for everyone. Today, I oversee the reclamation crew at Usibelli. I emulate the way Fred treated me by making work fun, challenging, and rewarding. Fred demonstrated what a special place Usibelli Coal Mine is, and I hope I am leading by the same example. What lessons have you learned that you want to share with new miners? A lesson that I have learned is that mining happens: not everything is going to go as planned. There are so many factors that go into a mining operation. With that, plans change and for some, it’s hard to adjust. I learned that a good plan has options for potential setbacks, and those options are just as important as the original plan. This way when mining happens you can adjust quickly and get back on track to accomplish the end goal. What would you do differently? I would have gotten more involved with the Alaska Miners Association and mining community earlier as a student. I didn’t get involved with the UAF chapter of Society of Mining Engineers until late spring of my junior year. I had never been to an AMA conference or the local AMA meetings until then. When I finally got involved with SME and AMA I realized I had missed almost 3 years of support from mining companies and individuals. There is a whole community within AMA who are willing to help students in the industry. My advice to students at UAF is to be involved early and often! The mining community in Alaska is special in how supportive they are to students. In each issue of The Alaska Miner, we recognize a member of our Alaska mining community. This issue we are interviewing Ethan Trickey, Senior Mining Engineer with Usibelli Coal Mine. Faces of Mining Ethan Trickey Senior Mine Engineer, Usibelli Coal Mine
www.AlaskaMiners.org 21 What was one experience you will never forget? The first time I visited both a surface mine and an underground mine. While attending school in South Dakota I was able to see a Cloud Peak mining operation in the Powder River Basin, and Freeport McMoRan Henderson Mine. To see the massive dragline at the Cloud Peak Mine and going onto the machine is a surreal experience — not to mention the 400-ton haul trucks driving down the road. At the Henderson Mine, I got to see the complexity that goes into planning a block cave operation. They have a conveyor belt that carries the ore 25 miles over the Great Continental Divide! These were my first experiences on a mine site as a young adult that created the passion I have today. What do you love most about this business? As an engineer, I love the technical side of mining. Some people might view it as a giant hole in the ground or digging in the sandbox but there’s so much more that goes into it. From the ultimate pit design, to excavation, to extraction and processing, all these processes have so many facets to achieve one goal, lowering the cost per ton safely. I enjoy the design process and finding the best plan. With strip mining, I get to see these designs come to life and how the mine changes year after year. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? I see great things and growth ahead for mining in Alaska for the next 50 years. Advances in mining technology are exciting. You’ve seen AMA’s bumper sticker: “If it can’t be grown, it must be mined” and that is so true when it comes to meeting the world’s energy challenges and critical minerals opportunities. Alaska is in a great spot to become one of the major producers of energy and critical minerals needs. What do you see as our biggest challenges? And opportunities? One of our biggest challenges is developing feasible mine plans for known deposits to help them become huge producers in Alaska. The permitting process is long and filled with tons of roadblocks. Along with the long permitting process is the remoteness of these deposits in Alaska. There are several advanced exploration projects in Alaska that can be operating mines, but the challenge is the lack of energy infrastructure. I see that as an opportunity to improve our energy infrastructure and build new roads, so we have more access for the mining industry to grow. What does AMA mean to you? AMA to me is the biggest advocate for mining that we have in Alaska. They bring the mining community from small placer operations to large mining operations together in one organization and act as a voice for all of us on a State and Federal level. From their different committees, newsletters, emails, and statewide and chapter meetings, AMA keeps me informed on what’s happening that can affect my job and the mining industry. AMA is also a place where mining is celebrated and brings us miners from all over the state together during conventions and events. It’s a great place to network and help each other grow as a mining community. What do like to do for fun? Living in Alaska and in Healy, I really like to go on adventures in the backcountry. From hiking, four wheeling, and fishing in the summer to hunting in the fall and snowmaching in the winter, I do it all. My biggest passion is snowmaching in the mountains, nothing beats a bluebird day with fresh powder in the mountains along with your friends.
The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 22 Faces of Mining
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More mines reporting boosted revenue with historic surge in value A year ago, Alaska’s miners were selling gold at what seemed like a great price: around $2,200 per ounce. Today, that number sounds like a steal. After a historic surge in value, gold is now selling at an all-time high: more than $3,000 an ounce, or an increase of some 35% since the beginning of 2024. That’s great news for gold miners across the state, from Nome to Ketchikan — and for businesses of all sizes, from the multi-billion-dollar Kinross Gold Corp. to mom-and-pop placer operations. Owing partly to the hot market, the value of gold produced statewide shot up more than 60% last year from the year before, according to a recent report. “We’re in uncharted territory. And we’ve gotten here very quickly,” said Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, the chief executive of Contango Ore, a Fairbanks-based company developing several gold deposits in the state. The staggering rise in gold’s value, driven by global economic uncertainty and a range of other factors, is translating into a windfall for Kinross and the other multinational companies that operate Alaska’s four major gold mines, which reported huge earnings last year. The price of gold is the “largest single factor in determining profitability,” according to financial statements from Kinross, which owns the massive Fort Knox mine near Fairbanks and the smaller Manh Choh mine, in partnership with Contango, near the Interior town of Tok. But it’s not just the billion-dollar companies that are benefitting: Gold’s surge also could buoy Alaska’s 150 or so placer operations. Those smaller mining businesses use water to wash heavier gold out of sand and other sediments, often along creekbeds. They tend to be family-run and have smaller profit margins than the large corporations that own Alaska’s biggest hardrock mines — meaning that the rising prices make a big difference. “It’s good for everyone. It’s good for the big mines, small mines,” said Click Bishop, a former state senator from Fairbanks who runs a The Alaska Miner Spring 2025 24 .com 45 offices worldwide and a global network of af liates. No matter where you are in the world, chances are we’ve got your project covered. New gold rush: Record high prices could spur a big year
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