Mining News: Usibelli 2010 coal sales set new record 12/19/2010
Shipping a record million tons to Pacific Rim buyers, the family-owned business says Alaska is still its most important market
With coal demand on the rise both in Alaska and the Pacific Rim, Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. coal sales are expected to top 2 million short tons in 2010, marking another record year for the family-owned b...

Mining News: Alaska faces tough road on global stage 11/21/2010
CNBC report ranks state last in terms of cost of doing business and as having the worst transportation system in the United States
Alaska's mining industry is entering the final lap for what has turned out to be a more robust than expected year for exploration, development and production. Strong worldwide demand for mined product...

The Explorers 2010: Exploration license holders 11/14/2010
The State of Alaska began issuing exploration licenses in 1998 as a way to encourage drilling in prospective areas of the state not covered by lease sales. Since then, explorers have drilled in two In...

The Explorers 2010: Interior Alaska basins 11/14/2010
Although analysts think that the majority of Alaska's oil and gas resources lie within the major basins of northern Alaska, Cook Inlet and the Bristol Bay area, there are several other basins around t...

Mining News: Mining plays vital jobs role in Alaska 10/31/2010
Geographical diversity and high-wages boost employment profile state's mines, especially in regions where opportunities are scarce
Mining is becoming increasingly important to Alaskans looking for good-paying jobs. Not only does the industry provide high wages, the geographical diversity of the mines provides employment opportuni...

Doyon pauses Nenana exploration, gathers data from Yukon Flats 09/26/2010
Doyon Ltd., the Native regional corporation for Alaska's Interior, has decided to put its exploration efforts in the Nenana basin on hold pending resolution of some Alaska Railbelt energy issues that...

Mining News: Japan plays key role in Alaska mining 08/29/2010
To further strengthen trade bonds with Pacific Rim neighbor, Alaska delegation provides minerals update to Tokyo business leaders
Japan is an important player in Alaska's mining industry. The island nation imports more than US$125 million in minerals from the Far North state annually and Tokyo-based businesses own the Pogo...

AK-WA Connection 2010: Mining supports Alaska-Washington trade 08/08/2010
Industry provides much-needed boost to state's economy, especially in rural communities where jobs and opportunities are scarce
Mining is an increasingly bright spot in the Alaska economy and nowhere is the impact of this vibrant sector more pronounced than among businesses in the Alaska-Washington trade. Shaking off effects...

Regulators reconsider Usibelli gas plan 08/08/2010
The Department of Natural Resources is reviewing its decision to grant an exploration license for coalbed methane near Healy. The state gave Usibelli Coal Mine a license June 28. But Alaska Division...

Mining News: Coal miner advances Wishbone Hill 07/25/2010
Usibelli begins feasibility study, targets 2012 production in historic mining area near Palmer; Port MacKenzie coal-loading a success
With access granted and exploration permit in hand, Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. has started a drill program at its Wishbone Hill property 10 miles northeast of Palmer, Alaska. The fourth-generation, fami...

Usibelli Healy license 07/04/2010
Company gets access to state lands to look for gas, coalbed methane near Denali
State officials are proposing to give Usibelli Coal Mine a license to explore for natural gas in the Healy basin of Interior Alaska, according to a final finding dated June 28. The license gives Usibe...

Trust Land Office offering UGC licenses 06/27/2010
Proposed licensing program covers 190,000 acres across three boroughs, Land Office sees opportunity in declining gas production
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Land Office plans to license a broad swath of land to exploration companies interested in producing natural gas from deep coal deposits. The proposed licensing area woul...

Doyon eyeing winter seismic in Nenana 04/25/2010
Shoot would gather information about the less well-known northern end of the Interior basin, follow up on 2009 exploration well
Doyon Ltd. is looking to gather seismic data in the Nenana Basin next winter. The Alaska Native corporation for the Interior wants to follow up on a 2009 exploration well it drilled in a region 50 mil...

Mining News: Pebble CEO: What the hell is going on? 03/28/2010
Shively names redundant regulatory system, abuse of unbalanced judicial as two contributors to declining Alaska, U.S. economies
A conviction-filled speech delivered by Pebble Limited Partnership CEO John Shively at the March 18 Resource Development Council of Alaska breakfast tackled the question on the minds of many in the au...

Aussie indie picks up Cook Inlet leases 03/07/2010
Linc Energy buys 123,000 acres from GeoPetro, plans to drill exploration well this year, looking at unique coal operation in future
An Australian company focused on innovative coal-based energy is buying the Cook Inlet acreage of a small independent and plans to drill an exploration well this year. Linc Energy (Alaska) Inc., the l...