www.AKRDC.org 33 VOLUME 2 | ISSUE 2 | SPRING 2025 Pipeline Construction & Maintenance | EPC Contracting Powerplant Construction | General Contracting Anchorage | Deadhorse | 907.278.4400 | www.pricegregory.com Thousands of Miles of Experience Committed to Client Satisfaction Dedicated to Safety Excellence detected in coal from the Usibelli Coal Mine at Healy. This merits further work. While much of the CORE-CM first phase involved reviewing existing research, the work also included screening of the large amount of samples from different regions stored at the DGGS Geologic Materials Center in Anchorage, which confirmed the presence of rare earths and critical minerals in several areas. Several field campaigns were also launched to collect samples from underexplored regions identified during analysis of the field samples. The Ray River area in Interior Alaska has emerged as a region of interest with enriched tungsten, germanium and other viable critical elements. The first phase of CORE-EM also showed the potential of waste from existing mines as a potential source of critical minerals that could be extracted. The Greens Creek Mine near Juneau has potential for extraction of minerals from tailings waste, the study indicated. Helping the state’s existing mines improve recovery of these associated metals is a key near-term objective of the university’s initiative. This will improve the economics of these mines, which could extend their operating lives. It would also improve the economics of potential new mining operations. A challenge is that some of the state’s major metal mines, such as Red Dog, a zinc producer, and Fort Knox near Fairbanks, a gold mine, are approaching final resource development. This means there could be a shorter window of time for new techniques developed by the university consortium to be used at least in those mines. Fort Knox is scheduled to end mining in 2027 although processing of low-quality ore from a heap leach will continue. Red Dog is scheduled to end mining at its current operation in 2031. There are hopes that new zinc deposits in the Red Dog area can be developed, but this remains uncertain and will take time for further exploration. There are now three operating mines with potential for critical minerals and rare earths including Red Dog, Greens Creek and Usibelli, the CORE-CM final report indicated. There are four mines in development with potential for extraction of these minerals including Arctic, in the Ambler Mining District; Bokan Mountain in southern Southeast Alaska; Graphite Creek on the Seward Peninsula; and Palmer, in northern Southeast Alaska. The Ray River and Fortymile regions on the Interior have potential but are largely unexplored. Alaska faces some challenges, however. “Its sheer size and geological complexity make it a formidable yet rich region for mineral exploration and development. The state's remote and often inaccessible terrain requires significant logistical planning and resources,” the university cited in its report. “The harsh climate and limited infrastructure further complicate efforts to conduct comprehensive geological surveys and mining operations. Additionally, the environmental sensitivity of many areas necessitates careful consideration of ecological impacts, adding another layer of complexity to the endeavor.” The establishment of the Alaska-Technology Innovation Center (TIC), tentatively named “Center for Alaskan Strategic and Critical Minerals,” is aimed at developing technologies for CORE-CM development. A strategic plan focuses on carbon-based value-added products, metals extraction and waste stream reuse. It will also emphasize education and training, ensuring that the next generation of Alaskan workers is
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