Elements of Mining: Operating and potential projects by region.

• Author: Simonelli, Isaac Stone
• Position: MINING

When people in the Lower 48--and even plenty of those here in the Last Frontier--think about mining in Alaska, they think gold. With the state producing 14 percent of the nation's gold in 2014, they think gold for a good reason. From the Southeast to the Interior, mining operations and continued exploration efforts, both large and small, reveal glimmering prospects for those hunting the precious metal.

However, the vast geological diversity in the state provides numerous mineral opportunities beyond gold, many of which are either already being tapped by active mines or in exploration stages. Perhaps the most strategic mining developments revolve around rare earth elements (REEs), which can be found in everything from TVs and camera lenses to cancer treatment drugs and the technology that makes it possible to harvest energy from renewable sources.

"Nationally, identification of areas with critical-mineral potential is important for ensuring secure domestic supplies of REEs and other elements critical for technological and industrial uses," says Melanie Werdon, chief of the Mineral Resources Section of the Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys, Alaska Department of Natural Resources. "For Alaska, development of REEs would provide jobs, economic-development opportunities, and increased revenue to state and local governments, and, depending on land status, to Native corporations as well."

In addition to REE exploration, 2017 saw continued mining of coal, zinc, lead, silver, and gold at established mines--while millions of dollars were poured into various regions of the state as companies looked to extend the lives of their mines as well as develop new areas with significant economic potential.

In Alaska there are twenty active mineral exploration projects, six large-scale mines, and hundreds of smaller placer gold operations in every region of the state except for the North Slope.

Interior Operations

Fort Knox, operated by Toronto-based Kinross Gold, produced 285,933 ounces of gold by the third quarter of 2017, hitting a milestone as it poured its 1 millionth ounce from the Walter Creek Arctic Heap Leach on January 24. The mine is the largest and longest-running (operating for more than twenty years) of the two hardrock operations in the state.

"This is a great milestone for Fort Knox and has been an instrumental part of extending the life of the property. I see our Arctic Heap Leach as a testament to our commitment to innovation as a company. My thanks goes out to the many folks, throughout the entire company, that have helped achieve this milestone," says Eric Hill, vice president and general manager of Fort Knox.

Part of Kinross' commitment to the mine and the community, which depends on Fort Knox jobs, is continued exploration. In December, Kinross gained...