www.AlaskaAlliance.com ignore it’s actions. We must make it clear to the Agency that we do not agree with its analysis of placer mining activities in Alaska. There are better and more responsible ways to develop water quality regulations which meet the needs of downstream users without crippling placer mining. “When the federal government becomes better informed about our nation’s mineral needs and the role that Alaska could play in meeting those needs, many of the federal problems facing Alaska miners should become more manageable.” “This is the lesson that the history of Alaska oil and gas development teaches us. Working together we can make sure federal policymakers know the true story about the important of Alaska’s mineral resources and to ensure that Alaska’s vast oil and gas resources continue to receive the attention they deserve. David Heatwole, Exploration Manager for Anaconda Minerals “I think most Alaskans are justifiably concerned about our state’s economy being dependent upon a single resource to drive the economic engine and to provide jobs…. what I’d like to do today is to discuss my thoughts about Alaska’s fledgling hard-rock mining industry...and Alaska’s completive edge. “The principle reason is that in Alaska we have near-surface, high-grade deposits. A second thing that I feel is a real advantage for Alaska is that we are part of the United States. You may question that because our environmental costs and our regulation do increase operational cost, but the stability of our political system compared to other countries in the world is a major asset. “Third we have in Alaska … known deposits of strategic minerals. The largest nickel reserve in the United States is in our state… The bulk of United States platinum production in the past has come from Alaska. And we have the only known tin province on United States soil.” “And I believe as our national and world awareness of the vulnerability of strategic minerals, as the public becomes aware of this, that a secure domestic supply from Alaska will again favor mineral development in the state.” “A fourth reason I think we will be competitive is our proximity to the Pacific Rim…. the smokestack industries of Taiwan, Korea and Japan will be our future consumers. But …”to get these minerals on stream in a reasonable time frame, we really have three major problems facing our industry….our lack of infrastructure…we really have, historically, an unstable investment climate in the state… and land withdrawals and access….we cannot remove minerals if we cannot get roads in to the deposits. “At some time in the future the geological and geopolitical conditions are just going to make Alaska’s mining development happen… what I am less certain of is the timing.” C.W. Nance, Executive Vice President of Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production Nance addressed both oil and gas, and minerals exploration the company was doing in Alaska in 1984. “I’m eagerly looking forward to the time in which Tenneco can pay some taxes to the state of Alaska. But you might find it interesting to see that someone outside your state has identified the same major issues. We are very concerned about the development of a transportation infrastructure within the state of Alaska. There are no current transportation links between the Interior mining districts to the markets. While Tenneco expects to pay its share of the cost of developing a transportation system withing Alaska, we feel that the total cost will be such t hat the state has got to assume a greater responsibility in …. the building of roads and railroads. “For oil and gas exploration in particular, we feel encumbered by the permitting processes that are excessive in the length of time 2024 Meet Alaska Conference & Trade Show 55 CONTINUED on PAGE 56
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