Alaska mining exports up by 15 percent in 2002

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

The governor's office said March 12 that Alaska exports totaled $2.52 billion in 2002, up some $100 million from 2001.

Seafood, Alaska's largest export, was up 12 percent.

But the increase in minerals exports was greater, up 15 percent. Minerals account for more than 15 percent of the state's exports. Demand for precious metals has helped boost mineral exports. In 2002, for example, Alaska exported more than $43 million in gold and $3.5 million in platinum; the two combined accounted for only $212,000 in exports in 2001.

Japan is Alaska's top overall export market and the leading importer of both seafood and minerals. Exports to Korea, Alaska number two market, were down 10 percent, partly as a result of a change in destination for Alaska's mineral exports.

Exports to Canada, the state's third largest market, include zinc ore, seafood and wood.