The Alaska Miner Summer 2024 12 BY A.J. ROAN, NORTH OF 60 MINING NEWS As the Alaska Miners Association celebrates its 85th anniversary, the organization's vital role in advancing the state's mining industry comes into sharp focus. Founded in 1939 at the onset of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the association was similarly established to advocate for fair labor practices and safe mineral development in the Last Frontier. Over the decades, AMA has navigated economic challenges and legislative changes, becoming a cornerstone in ensuring the sustainable utilization of Alaska's vast mineral resources and shaping the industry into a stable foundation for the state's well-being. As the world stood on the brink of World War II, an uncertain venture took shape in the remote expanse of Alaska shortly after President Franklin Roosevelt signed into law the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which set minimum wages, mandated a maximum workweek, and banned oppressive child labor, a lasting reflection of his New Deal vision to uplift American workers during the Great Depression. Recognizing the need for an organization that could provide a unified voice for miners against this backdrop of global uncertainty and national reform, several individuals sought to establish AMA. AMA emerged to champion the interests of miners and the equitable development of Alaska's rich mineral resources. The goal was to create an association that would represent the interests of miners, advocate for fair labor practices, and ensure the orderly development of Alaska's mineral resources. This vision aimed to balance economic growth with the well-being of mining communities. Since then, this vision has grown into a guiding hand for mining across the state. For 85 years, the Alaska Miners Association has played an integral role in supporting numerous mining operations — from family run placer mining operations on Alaska's many gold-rich streams to the Usibelli Coal Mine, which has been around almost as long as the AMA, and on to projects like Fort Knox, the largest gold mine in the state, and Red Dog Mine, which stands among the world's largest producers of zinc. These projects, along with hundreds of other mining endeavors over the years, have not only contributed to the state's economy but also provided thousands of jobs, establishing the sector as a cornerstone of Alaska's economic foundation. In recent years, AMA has continued to uphold its mission by engaging in various initiatives that promote the sustainable development of Alaska's mineral resources. The association works closely with state and federal agencies to influence policies that support the mining industry, advocates for fair and realistic land use regulations, and provides educational programs to increase public awareness about the importance of mining to Alaska's economy. Additionally, AMA hosts annual conventions and industry events, fostering collaboration and innovation within the mining community. Through these efforts, AMA ensures that the mining sector remains vital to Alaska's economic landscape, contributing to the state's prosperity and development, while maintaining the homeland that all Alaskans love. In 1938, amid the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, Roosevelt signed the FLSA into law. The primary goal of this unprecedented legislation was to improve labor conditions across 85 years later, AMA still fights for Alaska's miners CONTINUED on PAGE 14 Photo Courtesy Library of Congress The last signature necessary to bring wages-hours bill to the floor of the House. Rep. Joseph Mansfield of Texas, affixing his signature. Left to right: Rep. Mary Norton, Chairman of House Labor Committee; Speaker Bankhead; and Rep. Pat Boland, House Whip. Dec. 2, 1937.
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