Factors affecting costs of mining in Alaska

Abstract

The basic factors which affect the cost of mining in Alaska are discussed herein. Contrary to popular opinion, cold weather is not the major factor. This problem has, for the most part, been solved through experience in Eastern Canada and later efforts in British Columbia and the Yukon. Remoteness and isolation and its effect upon personnel, inventory and services of all kinds are among the more difficult with which to anticipate and cope. Considerable creativity is required to solve these problems, which differ somewhat with the type and location of mineral deposit, and will quite likely require solutions at variance with the current attitudes and practices of the company involved. In Alaska, electric power, transportation and land tenure pose difficulties of a type not experienced when existing mines in Canada were developed.