Alaska’s Mining Potential
Alaska Holds the Key to a Sustainable World
As we transition to renewable energy—hydro, wind, and solar—Alaska's rich minerals and metals are indispensable.
- Respected Globally: Alaska has pioneered responsible resource management.
- Robust Regulatory System: A strong framework ensures mining is done responsibly and sustainably.
- Advanced Mining Technology: Utilizing cutting-edge techniques for minimal environmental impact.
- Committed to Environmental Stewardship: Ensuring Alaska's nature is preserved for future generations.
- Invested in Communities: Working together to ensure local benefits.
Empowering Alaska’s Economy
Alaska's mining sector isn't just an industry; it's a driving force for local economies and communities.
- Community Prosperity: Mining's role as a key employer and economic force is undeniable. So is the importance of collaborative relationships with community stakeholders from the very beginning of a project all the way through reclamation and closure.
- Economic Catalyst: In 2022, the mining industry's $1 billion expenditure boosted about 450 local businesses and supported over 11,400 jobs, with a $1 billion wage impact.
"Alaska's founders knew responsible resource development was key to a secure and prosperous state, and our experience with True North shows that they were right. The developers leased state land, produced a valuable commodity to serve global markets, employed Alaskans, and paid state taxes and royalties. When they were done, they remediated the effects of their work and returned the land to the state for its next use. The system works." -Alaska DNR Commissioner Corri Feige, SOA DNR Joint Press Release: October 27, 2020
Global Mineral Leadership
- Strategic Importance: These reserves are vital for technologies, renewable energy, and national security, making Alaska a global leader in mineral resources.
- Significant Reserves: Alaska holds 3% of the world's zinc, and 3.5% of its gold, plus notable quantities of silver, lead, and copper.
Championing Sustainable Mining Practices
- Ecological Integrity: Alaska sets the standard for responsible mining, balancing economic growth with environmental preservation.
- Benchmark for Responsible Extraction: Sustainable practices and commitment to land restoration showcase Alaska as a leader in ethical mining.
Alaska’s mining industry has rich potential and promise as a sector crafting a sustainable, secure, and prosperous future for all.
Envisioning a Prosperous Future
- Significant Expansion: With more than $8.1 billion invested since 1982, Alaska's mining industry is poised for substantial growth, promising increased exports, tax revenue, and job creation.
- Sustainable Vision: This growth represents a commitment to a future where economic prosperity and environmental responsibility coexist.
EXPLORE THE FACTS
Alaska balances mining with environmental conservation through its strict adherence to environmental regulations and its commitment to sustainable practices. Examples include the use of advanced water treatment facilities to protect waterways and proactive measures to preserve local wildlife and their habitats. Additionally, mining companies are required to reclaim the land, restoring mined areas to their natural state
The mining sector supports local communities in Alaska through direct employment, substantial investments in local businesses, and contributions to community development. For instance, in 2022, the industry spent $1 billion with local vendors and donated $4.5 million to approximately 280 non-profit organizations, demonstrating its commitment to local community growth and welfare.
The economic impact of Alaska's abundant minerals is substantial. In 2022, the mining sector contributed $1 billion in wages statewide, supporting about 11,400 jobs. This level of economic activity not only provides livelihoods for thousands of Alaskans but also bolsters the overall state economy through high-paying jobs and substantial tax revenues.
Future growth in Alaska's mining industry could be significant. With more than $8.1 billion invested since 1982 and a continuous focus on exploration and development, the industry is poised to expand. Bringing even one large project into production would significantly enhance mining's contribution to the state and national economies.
It produces minerals essential to many industries, from precious metals like gold and silver to industrial metals like zinc and lead. The industry is also actively exploring and developing projects to produce its rich deposits of critical minerals like copper, graphite, and cobalt which are essential in high-tech and green technologies. This range makes Alaska’s mining sector versatile and vital for different economic sectors.
Alaska’s commitment to sustainable mining is evident in its rigorous regulatory framework, which includes dozens of permits from multiple federal and state agencies. This ensures extensive public participation and environmental stewardship. Additionally, Alaska prioritizes modern mining techniques that minimize ecological impact and focus on land restoration after mining operations. (See AKDNR: Permitting Large Mine Projects in Alaska).
Alaska's minerals are essential for the U.S. because they are critical to national security, technological advancement, and the renewable energy transition. Alaska could develop its rich deposits of graphite, cobalt, copper, and rare earth elements which are key in manufacturing defense equipment, electronic devices, and clean energy technologies. This would reduce reliance on foreign imports, enhancing national strategic autonomy.
While approaches differ slightly by mining group, the goal is to enable stakeholders to participate in meaningful ways in matters that affect them, and to ensure that their feedback and perceptions are taken into consideration. Comprehensive stakeholder engagement enhances understanding. When companies engage with local governments, communities, and civic institutions, the benefits can better translate into sustainable, long-term improvements that last after the mine closes.
When it comes to local communities, everything begins with direct stakeholder interaction to build trustful relationships based on sincerity, reliability, clarity, and personal contact aimed at delivering productive outcomes. Active outreach is regularly conducted to understand the views, needs, and concerns of stakeholders while being transparent about operations and the impacts that they cause. From formal dialogue tables to one-on-one conversations, companies are open to a variety of approaches to engage frequently with stakeholders.
