The Alaska Miner Fall 2023 18 Faces of Mining What was one experience you will never forget? Taking the leap and working in Guyana for a year teaching the locals about Mine Rescue and Underground Mining. What do you love most about this business? And about Alaska? Being part of the mining industry is like having an extended family. We look out for each other and our environment. We give back to our community by donating our time and resources. This comes in so many ways- reading books to elementary kids, educating our youth through school programs, serving Thanksgiving dinners with Salvation Army, helping put on community events, keeping our community clean through the state’s Adopt-a Highway program, awarding scholarships, and supporting local sports programs are just a few. The one thing I tell everyone that is special to Alaska is the willingness of our communities to help each other. You are president of Gold Rush Days in Juneau … what’s the significance of that event? That is correct. Juneau Gold Rush Days is an event where we can showcase the Past, Present, and Future of mining. Help educate the community in which we live about the important industry that helped shape our region. Help support our Juneau community schools and Juneau Shrine Club with donations that we raise from different events. Bringing miners, loggers, and community members together from all over Southeast Alaska. Where do you see mining in Alaska in 50 years? I think our future is in technology innovation through automation, autonomous equipment, and predictive asset maintenance. I hope that we can be proactive and reduce the risk to our biggest assets — our employees and the environment. What do you see as our biggest challenges? And opportunities? There is a generation gap within the mining community. We need to educate the communities, especially our youth, about career opportunities that mining has to offer. Most people not already involved in mining don’t realize that the diversity of career options mining has to offer. Most just think of mining as either underground or in an open pit. There are opportunities in great careers such as Mechanics, Electricians, Safety, Environmental, Water Treatment, CONTINUED on PAGE 20 Photos Courtesy Jeremy Whitmore Jeremy volunteering for the United Way of Southeast Alaska’s annual Day of Caring. Jeremy has worked in the mining industry for more than 25 years. He says Juneau Gold Rush Days, right, plays an important role in educating non-miners about the industry, while having a lot of fun.
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