The Alaska Miner Winter 2024 32 Bartly Kleven, Environmental Stewardship Award Presented by Lorali Simon AMA’s Environmental Stewardship Award honors an active AMA member (whether an individual or organization) who demonstrates environmental leadership. This award recognizes best management practices in environmental protection or restoration associated with a mining operation or project. Demonstration of new approaches in design, construction, operation, or reclamation are encouraged. For more than a quarter century, this individual has dedicated her life to responsible, sustainable mining, believing that mining will play a key role for generations. She is an industry leader in environmental stewardship and modern, responsible mining practices, as well as a role model for female miners, both on the job and off. In her role, she manages a department of nine engineers, technicians, and administrative personnel. She coordinates environmental activities including identifying issues and completing tasks related to exploration, permitting, construction, operation, closure, and post-closure of company operations. She led the first reclamation of a major metal mine. Upon completion of economic mining operations, she led the team that spent six years remediating nearly all 615 acres directly affected by mining operations. The work included grading and recontouring 149 acres, seeding and fertilizing 270 acres, planting vegetation on fifty-two acres and removing all mining buildings. She also began a long-term monitoring program to ensure longterm stability of the landscape. Although this region has been a hub of mining for more than a century, no buildings or roads are visible, just acres of grass and trees and trails. She is also an incredible advocate for women in mining and works hard to share her expertise with other women. I first met her in 2007 when she was the environmental manager at Usibelli Coal Mine. I was working for Matanuska Electric Association then and they were trying to build a new coal plant. She spent hours educating me on the technical aspects of coal fired generation as well as how unique properties of Alaska’s coal. When she testified before the Mat-Su Borough — she blew their socks off. She is a force to be reckoned with. She speaks with such confidence based on her education, experience and expertise — and she’s doing it in an industry that is still male dominated. She inspired me to study hard and be able to carry myself as she does. A couple of years later when I began working for Usibelli Coal Mine, I was so excited to stand beside her. I thought we were going to take over the world. Unfortunately for me, Bartly moved on to bigger and better things, but she has remained a dear friend, colleague, and confidant. She was recently chosen as an Inspirational Women in Mining. The Women in Mining 100 is an annual initiative by Women in Mining – UK (WIM UK) where “100 women are honored for their accomplishments and leadership.” “Her aim is always to build trust through transparency and consistency, and her ability to instill stakeholders with confidence in mining operations has inspired colleagues and mentees over many years,” the WIM US stated. The 2020 recipients were selected from 915 nominations from sixty-one countries due to their inspiring contributions towards a stronger, safer, and more sustainable mining industry. This includes making positive and impactful changes, advocacy, and a desire to empower others. “Each woman has been included for her unique contribution to the mining sector. She has shown resolve for clear leadership with regards to environmental compliance and mining,” said Dr. Stacy Hope, Managing Director at Women in Mining UK. Judging criteria includes being a trailblazer and making positive and impactful changes so the industry can operate in a more safe, sustainable, and inclusive way; a commitment to advocating and empowering those working in the mining industry and beyond; and perseverance in the face of adversity. Lastly, during her two-year tenure as President of the Alaska Miners Association she permitted and operated the environmental programs at three mines all while remaining instrumental in AMA by providing technical, scientific details in AMA’s advocacy efforts. This winner is a steadfast technical expert on environmental policies, processes, and procedures. When new state or federal regulations are introduced that change current program standards, she can be counted on to provide guidance on AMA’s positions. She is dependable and never hesitates to use her experience and expertise to assist AMA in understanding the practical implications of proposed laws and regulations. It is my pleasure to present the 2023 Environmental Stewardship award to Bartly Kleven.
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