Natural resources are foundation of the state's private sector economy: mining industry health impacts Alaska's other resource development industries.

• Author: Hall, Marleanna
• Position: SPECIAL SECTION: Natural Resources

Alaska is one-fifth the size of the rest of the United States, with more coastline than all other states combined. This state contains immense natural resources, including minerals and offshore resources like oil and gas and seafood.

Alaska's natural resource industries provide jobs, revenues to the state, and are the foundation of the private sector economy. After all, our constitution, Article XIII, section 2, mandates that Alaska "encourage the settlement of its land and the development of its resources by making them available for maximum use consistent with the public interest."

It is because of these natural resources that Alaska became a state in the first place. During the fight for Statehood, William A. Egan remarked in his 1956 speech at the Alaska Constitutional Convention: "Many of the states now in the Union would be happy indeed, if they could be endowed with Alaska's natural resources. Even though our resources are in their present state of underdevelopment, mainly because of the federal territorial-status yoke, our economy is amply able to support statehood."

But enough about Alaska's responsibility to be self-reliant and avoid becoming a burden on the federal government; let's talk about mining and the important role the industry has had in Alaska for more than one hundred years and will continue to have for decades to come.

Alaska has a very rich history in mining, but currently only has six large producing mines. If it were its own country, Alaska would rank in the top ten for each of the following resources: coal, copper, lead, gold, zinc, and silver. Alaska's minerals, much like the seafood it exports, are highly valuable and could be marketable around the world.

Historic Cornerstone

Historically, mining has been a cornerstone of Alaska's economy. Many roads, docks, and other infrastructure throughout Alaska were originally constructed to serve the mining industry. Major communities like Fairbanks, Juneau, and Nome were founded on mining activity.

Mining in Alaska covers all facets of the industry from exploration to mine development, production, and ultimately reclamation. The industry produces zinc, lead, copper, gold, silver, and coal, as well as construction minerals such as sand, gravel, and rock.

In addition to family wage jobs, mining creates public revenue by paying state and local taxes. Mines help support local economies in both urban and rural Alaska, and in some communities mining companies serve as the...