AMA plans Mining Day fete in Fairbanks

On April 12, 2013, Governor Sean Parnell signed into law Senate Bill 1, "An Act establishing May 10 of each year as Alaska Mining Day; and providing for an effective date" (Chapter 6, SLA 2013), sponsored by State Senator Cathy Giessel and thirteen other senators as well as nineteen members of the State House of Representatives, commemorating the enactment of the General Mining Law of 1872.

This year, on the 150th anniversary of the General Mining Law, the Alaska Miners Association, with the support of the Fairbanks Branch, is planning a memorable celebration that no one should miss.

In Senator Giessel's words, the purpose of the bill was "to recognize and honor the intrepid individuals and industry that played an enormous role in settling and developing the territory and the state and that continue to contribute to the economy of the state."

Currently, the Mining Day Committee is soliciting input from the Alaska mining industry on the event schedule and featured content. Additional detailed information about the celebration is forthcoming. The Committee desires to feature informational and educational sessions highlighting mining operations and project updates, policy issues, the 50th Anniversary of ANCSA, career opportunities in mining, the economic benefits of mining for the State of Alaska, and environmental and social governance matters and much, much more.

AMA is also working with the University of Alaska and local schools to ensure students and young professionals are in attendance.

AMA has an event page activated that can be accessed right from the AMA website home page: http://www.alaskaminers.org. Schedules, speakers, and opportunities to be involved will be updated at the site frequently.

Celebration of Alaska Miners Day this year is especially important because the COVID pandemic caused development expenditures in Alaska to decline over the past two years. As a result, the AMA has had to take its annual November convention virtual both in 2020 and 2021. Fairbanks, likewise, had to postpone its 2020 biennial spring meeting. But this year's celebration is designed to make up for it.

Mineral exploration expenditures over the past two years took a particularly strong hit from disruptions and uncertainty associated with the COVID-19 endemic, but the State's abundant, high-quality gold projects remain well-positioned to benefit from record gold prices and investor enthusiasm.

Active mining claims and prospecting sites cover more than four million acres of Alaska. State mining claims account for 97% of the total claimed land. Mineral industry employment exceeds 3,200 full-time-equivalent jobs. Estimated revenues to the State of Alaska and municipalities from mineral-industry-specific fees, rents, sales, royalties, and taxes exceed $120 million.

Now is a good time to be excited about mining in Alaska.

On the other hand, it is a little sad, to me at least, that Alaska is unique in celebrating this anniversary.

I am not blind to the fact that in 2009, Congress declared December 6 National Miners Day to recognize the many ways that miners play a role in our daily lives. After all, mined materials contribute to things like roads, houses, cars and computers. We wouldn't be able to get much done without their hard work and efforts. Our entire economy depends on them.

Unfortunately, December 6 commemorates a terrible mining accident that occurred in 1907 in Monograph, West Virginia, which resulted in the death of 362 miners. It is righteous that we observe and recognize those who lost their lives in what was a dangerous profession, but much has changed since 1907.

In today's world, due in no small part to the Mine Safety and Health Administration, mining is well regulated and significantly safer than it once was.

Without sublimating in any way those who have been injured or died in mining-related accidents, the annual national death rate in the United States is approximately 0.21%, whereas the death rate for mineworkers from mining-related accidents is close to one-tenth of one percent. The most dangerous part of working in a mine these days is driving down the highway on the way to work.

For me, at least, I think that celebrating the passage of the General Mining Law 150 years ago is much more positive. Mining is a wonderful career, and the industry is full of awesome, talented and brilliant people who produce the commodities that we use and need.

Our hats are off to those who have gone before - the brave prospectors and geologists who made their way throughout the arid West and across the Chilkoot Trail in search of the "muck called gold." And we likewise celebrate the historic mines across the State during the past Century, which live in our hearts and minds, as well as the current, high-profile major mines and the hundreds of modest placer operations. All of which are a part of the legacy of the General Mining Law.

One irony that always crosses my mind when thinking about the General Mining Law is that it was enacted within five months of the establishment of Yellowstone National Park. Presumably, do those who regard the General Mining Law as old or obsolete feel the same way about our National Parks?

Happy Anniversary!

P.S. On a personal note, I hope the Committee will reach out to other mining States and invite them to toast our celebration. Let this year be the year in which May 10 becomes a nationwide holiday.