Opinion
Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 185
It is not often wise to set a president
Following the model set by other successful generals such as George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight Eisenhower, after having essentially won the War in Europe, went on to... — Updated 9/30/2021
Tongass hosts vast economic potential
Southeast Alaska is at a unique crossroads in its management of the Tongass National Forest. How will reimposition of the 2001 Roadless Rule impact development of natural resources like geothermal,... — Updated 9/23/2021
Nothing is certain but death and taxes
In a recent case that crossed my desk, I was confronted by what seems to have been an easily avoided problem relating to the estate of a long-time, well-known, very sophisticated Alaska miner. Since... — Updated 8/26/2021
Youth, Youth, for the honor of truth
Over the past quadrennial, there has been a great deal of conversation about "truth." Especially in the political arena. Ostensibly, the number of "lies" that have emanated from the mouth of the... — Updated 7/29/2021
The COVID elephant has left the state
Although new cases of COVID-19 are still appearing throughout the nation in general and Alaska in particular, at the moment they are hovering at the 40-per-day level apparently. The vaccine is worki... — Updated 6/24/2021
For Alaskans, it is a wonderful world
I always tend to look at the world through the wrong end of the telescope. For instance, many people regard the so-called political divisions in our country as being a problem, but for me, it is an... — Updated 5/27/2021
Reports contrast role of fishing, mining
In February, the Alaska Miners Association (AMA) released its annual report on the Economic Benefits of Alaska's Mining Industry. That report highlighted the fact that 4,700 direct and 9,600 indirec... — Updated 4/1/2021
Wanted: A pandemic-era silver lining
Without a doubt, 2020 was somewhat less than a perfect year. If you didn't like the way it started out, with an impeachment and a pandemic dominating the news, you might not have liked the way it... — Updated 2/25/2021
Why can't we placer mine tidal wetlands?
It has often been said that one should never watch sausages or laws being made. There are good reasons for saying that, especially in our quasi-democratic environment. For just cause we have... — Updated 2/11/2021
It was the best and the worst of times
With 2020 in the rearview mirror, now is a good time to reflect on and prognosticate about Alaska and things mining. First, with regard to things past, from the impeachment to the election, 2020... — Updated 1/14/2021
Pandemic skews traditional calendar
The fourth quarter in any given year, actually the period between Columbus Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, is always an interesting period. Every eighth year (more frequently with one-term... — Updated 11/25/2020
Appointment takes court over the hump
The successful appointment of Justice Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court has possibly put an end for the time being to the national drift to the political left. Without disparaging any advocates for... — Updated 10/29/2020
A lot riding on Alaska's Pebble Mine
Northern Dynasty Minerals first set its sights on Alaska's Pebble deposit in the 1990s. After acquiring the property in 2001, the company spent more than a decade and close to $1 billion proving it... — Updated 10/1/2020
It is time for a new look at Windy Craggy
N'tsi Tatay, more widely known as the Windy Craggy Project, is one of North America's largest resources of cobalt with excellent copper, zinc, gold, and silver grades hosted in an Upper Triassic... — Updated 9/26/2020
Coronavirus Effect blows wind of change
In what may be the world's grandest example of the Butterfly Effect, a microscopic organism in China has caused a hurricane of change for every person on Earth. For now, this change is... — Updated 9/26/2020
Ruth Bader Ginsburg has earned her paean
We all join in mourning the passing of one of the truly great Justices of the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS). Not because of her bent, but because she personified the finest qualities of a... — Updated 9/24/2020
Modern mines must absorb social costs
Each July for the past four decades I have traveled to the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation’s Annual Institute for the purpose of maintaining my credentials as a lawyer and to keep abreast o... — Updated 7/30/2020
The times keep getting more interesting
Political differences, public demonstrations, a mortal pandemic, climate evolution, economic rebalancing plus a flood of other disasters have welled up over the past score of years to make our... — Updated 7/10/2020
Alaska's miners need to go back to work
If I were to write a letter to the President of the United States, it would probably go something like this: Dear Mr. President – Notwithstanding the aggressive Executive Orders that you have s... — Updated 5/28/2020
Mining is Alaska's workhorse industry
Since statehood at least and, to a certain extent, since the earliest territorial days, Alaska has depended on the development of its resources for its prosperity. Fishing and mining were among the... — Updated 4/30/2020
The future of mining in a changing world
In the current environment, it is difficult to avoid discussing the elephant in the room. Essentially, we need to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic will affect mining activities in Alaska in the... — Updated 3/26/2020
Alaska's Legislature moves mountains
It is the very nature of the legislative process for the participants to endure conflict and controversy. Generally, the confrontations endemic to law-making begin when a citizen files for public... — Updated 2/28/2020
Regulatory burden relief gains traction
A priority of the Trump administration in 2016 was the reduction of the regulatory burden on America's businesses. Three years ago, the President signed Executive Order 13771, "Reducing Regulation... — Updated 1/30/2020
Opposition to Alaska mining is shameful
This author, in this column and elsewhere, has often taken the position that Alaska, especially in remote locations, is the safest, most environmentally-sound and worker-friendly mining location in... — Updated 1/10/2020
Mining flourishes in interesting times
If you pay any attention to the popular press, it is difficult to avoid critical references to President Trump. He has become the effigy for everything from political division to global iconoclasm.... — Updated 11/27/2019