Major mining companies in Alaska plan for success: mine operators are gearing up for another banner year.

• Author: Komancheck, Wendy

Steve Borell, executive director for the Alaska Miners Association, stated in the November 2006 issue of Alaska Business Monthly that, "Alaska mines already in operation, advanced exploration projects, and grassroots exploration are all benefiting from the current strong demand for minerals."

Indeed, that is the case that has been proven true for 2006 and is beefing up the economy for 2007. Borell was correct in his assertion when he stated in November that "2006 is shaping up to be a banner year for minerals in Alaska." A March 2007 press release from Alaska's Department of Natural Resources states, "Alaska's minerals industry produced a record high $3.26 billion worth of mineral products, and investment in exploration and development, thanks in large part to high prices in zinc." Indeed, the report verifies with numbers what Borell said in the November article. The summary reports, "$2.753 billion value of minerals produced in 2006 exceeded the previous year's total by $1.35 billion, even though the volume of production decreased slightly, reflecting the impact of high prices."

This increase has improved the employment sector, too, by opening up more jobs in the mining industry. The report states, "Total minerals industry employment in 2006 is estimated to be 3,014 full-time equivalent jobs, an increase of 193 jobs from the 2005 employment total, with most of the increase coming from exploration and development. These totals are likely to increase significantly in the final report, as more information from sand, gravel and gold-mining operations, especially the Pogo gold mine, is compiled."

The complete report will be published later this year and contains the above statistics and other important information on the banner year that Alaska experienced in 2006 in the mining sector. According to the release, "Details on the mining industry's record-breaking year are contained in the Information Circular 54, 'Alaska's Mineral Industry 2006: A Summary,' a preliminary report of industry activity, prepared by the Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys in the Department of Natural Resources and the Office of Economic Development in the Department of Commerce, Community and Regional Development."

Who are the major mining players who've boosted Alaska's economy? Here are seven of the top players in Alaska:

* Teck Cominco Alaska Inc., which owns Red Dog

* Fairbanks Gold Mining Inc., which owns Fort Knox and True North

* Teck Pogo Corp., which owns Pogo

* Kennecott Greens Creek Mining Co., which owns Greens Creek Mine

* Barrick Gold, which owns Donlin Creek

* Northern Dynasty Minerals, which operates the Pebble Project

* Usibelli Coal Mine (A detailed story featuring Usibelli and other coal operations in the state will appear in the July 2007 issue.)

These seven players are not all operational mines. Some of these mines are at the top because of their mineral ore, while the others are in the exploration or development phase. While many spokespeople from these top companies share their mines' stories, not all were available for comment.

TECK COMINCO ALASKA, FAIRBANKS GOLD...