Sponsored by the Alaska Miners Association and the Council of Alaska Producers 

 

March 7, 2023

9:00 am - 4:30 pm 

Baranof Hotel Treadwell Room

 

8:30 am: Doors open, continental breakfast served 

 

9:00: Welcome Remarks 

 

9:15-10:15: Critical and Essential Minerals for Alaska and our Nation 

Elizabeth Saagulik Hensley, Vice President, External & Government Affairs, NANA Regional Corporation

Bob Loeffler, Research Professor of Public Policy, UAA institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER)

Mike Satre, Director, Governmental Affairs, Hecla Ltd.

Greta Schuerch, Senior Advisor, Government & External Affairs, Teck

Moderated by Senator Cathy Giessel

 

10:15-10:45 Morning Break 

 

10:45-11:45: Transboundary Mining 

Commissioner Jason Brune, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation 

Laurel Nash, Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy, British Columbia 

Andrew Rollo, Assistant Deputy Minister, Energy Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, British Columbia 

Moderated by Senator Jesse Kiehl 

 

11:45- Noon Break

 

Noon - 1:30 pm: Keynote Luncheon with General Managers of Alaska’s mines  

Steve Ball, General Manager, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine

Brian Erickson, General Manager, Hecla Greens Creek Mine

Jim Coxon, Vice President - Operations, Northern Star Resources

Moderated by Representative Mike Cronk

 

1:30-1:45 Break 

 

1:45-2:45 Building the Local Workforce 

Katie Coyle, Human Resources Manager, Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine

Debra Ore, Human Resource Manager, Hecla Greens Creek Mine

Bill Bieber, Executive Director, Mining and Petroleum Training Service 

Ella Ede, Executive Director, Alaska Resource Education 

Moderated by Representative Zack Fields 

 

2:45-3:45 Environmental Regulations at Alaska’s Mines and Projects 

Randy Bates, Director, Division of Water, Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation

Christy Colles, Director, Division of Mining, Land, and Water, Alaska Department of Natural Resources 

Ben Mulligan, Deputy Commissioner, Alaska Department of Fish and Game 

James Whitlock, Mining Inspection and Enforcement Coordinator, Bureau of Land Management - Alaska 

Matthew Reece, Minerals and Geology Program Manager, U.S. Forest Service

Moderated by Representative Dan Saddler

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3:45-4:00 Update from AIDEA

Randy Ruaro, Executive Director 

 

4:00-4:30 Economic and Community Benefits of Mining in Alaska 

Deantha Skibinski, Alaska Miners Association

Karen Matthias, Council of Alaska Producers 

 

4:30 Wrap up and Adjourn, invitation to Reception 

 

5:00-7:00 Reception hosted by Alaska Miners Association, Associated General Contractors of Alaska, and Alaska Trucking Association

Hangar Ballroom 

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*Registration is complimentary for all legislators, staff, and members of the Administration.