www.TJEnterprises.us (406) 626-1968 TJoffice@tjenterprises.us MINERAL EXPLORATION GRADE CONTROL DEWATERING WELLS MONITORING & PIEZOMETER WELLS GEOTECHNICAL REMOTE LOCATIONS T & J Enterprises, Inc. Proudly Serving Alaska with Surface and Helicopter Supported Reverse Circulation and Core Drilling Since 1994 The Alaska Miner Fall 2023 56 Ongoing developments in global markets show value here at home BY SHANE LASLEY, NORTH 0F 60 MINING NEWS From the Pentagon's multi-million-dollar investment in Graphite One Inc. to China's restrictions on the exports of gallium and germanium, Alaska's current critical minerals supply, and future potential was in the headlines and subtext of American news stories over the past month. Alaska as a future source of minerals critical to the clean energy transition grabbed headlines after the mid-July news that the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Graphite One Inc. $37.5 million to finalize a feasibility study for an all-American graphite material supply chain that would extend from the world-class Graphite Creek project near the western shores of America's 49th State to the batteries that will power electric vehicles traveling the nation's highways. "I want to congratulate Graphite One for the diligent work that went into receiving this award, including the company's strategy to mine, refine and recycle graphite here in the United States," said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, a longtime advocate of the Far North State's strategic and critical mineral potential. "This award has the potential to open up significant opportunities for our state in terms of producing our abundant reserves of critical minerals and metals." Thanks in large part to the U.S. Geological Survey elevating zinc onto the list of 50 critical minerals, the Red Dog mine, operated by Teck Resources Ltd. on Alaska Native-owned lands in the northwest corner of the state, is the largest critical minerals-producing mine in the U.S. A previously little-known metalloid also produced at Red Dog, however, is where the subtext of Alaska's critical mineral production and potential falls between the lines of international news stories. "Alaska already plays a key role in meeting the nation's need for critical minerals," USGS Director David Applegate said during the "Critical Minerals in the Arctic: Forging the Path Forward" summit held in WashingAlaska's critical minerals remain in the spotlight
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