Creating jobs in Alaska's mining industry: exploration and development activity plays a huge role.

• Author: Anderson, Tasha
• Position: MINING

According to a report by the Alaska Miners Association, in 2014 there were 4,400 mining jobs in Alaska and 8,700 direct and indirect jobs attributed to the Alaska Mining industry providing $620 million in direct and indirect payroll with an average annual wage of $100,000. Mining is a year-round industry, providing steady, long-term job opportunities. "Mining is a really high-potential industry on the horizon," says Mike Heatwole, VP of public affairs for Pebble Ltd. Partnership.

Alaska Miners Association Deputy Director Alicia Amberg says, "Mining is poised to play a major role in the state's economy, more than it does today. At present there is considerable exploration and development activity occurring in many areas of the state, led by eight major advanced exploration projects."

Advanced Exploration Projects

The Pebble Mine deposit is located 200 miles southwest of Anchorage and more than 120 miles from Bristol Bay. It is principally a copper deposit, but also has gold, molybdenum, and silver. According to Heatwole, once the mine has been constructed, it's estimated that it will provide approximately 1,000 direct positions.

PacRim Coal LP is designing the Chuitna Coal Project, located approximately twelve miles northwest of the village of Tyonek, forty-five miles west of Anchorage on the west side of Cook Inlet. As its name indicates, it's a coal mine. The Chuitna project is currently in the permitting process, according to the Alaska Miners Association, and is projected to provide 300 to 350 production positions.

Donlin Gold mine is "one of the largest known undeveloped gold deposits in the world," according to Donlin Gold's website. It will be an open-pit gold mine. The Donlin Gold project is located ten miles north of Crooked Creek Village, approximately fifty-three miles northeast of Aniak, on lands leased from the Kuskokwim Corporation and Calista Corporation. Currently in the permitting process, it's estimated the mine will provide up to 1,400 production jobs.

International Tower Hill Mines Ltd. owns 100 percent interest in the Livengood Gold Project, a proposed gold mine located seventy miles northwest of Fairbanks. It is estimated the mine will create 450 production jobs.

The Niblack Project is an initiative of Healtherdale Resources, Inc. Located on Prince of Wales Island, Niblack would be an underground copper, gold, zinc, and silver mine. The mine will potentially provide 200 jobs between the mine and the mill.

Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. is currently doing...