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.
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