Alaska Beat

Rare-earth explorer ramps up plans to mine in Southeast Alaska

A junior exploration company targeting rare earth minerals at a Southeast Alaska prospect is building a new team of "mine-development specialists" in hopes of launching production ASAP.

Randy MacGillivray, an environmental geoscientist who has worked at mines throughout the world, will be permitting manager for Ucore Rare Metals at the project on Prince of Wales Island, about 40 miles southwest of Ketchikan. MacGillivray's resume includes a successful stint as environmental manager for Coeur Alaska at the Kensington Gold Project during the final round of permitting, according to a Ucore statement.

Gov. Sean Parnell and other leaders are promoting the state's rare-earth mineral potential, saying Bokan and other Alaska rare-earth prospects can help reduce China's dominance of those supplies. That country produces nearly the entire world's supply.

Rare earth minerals have clunky names such as dysprosium, terbium and yttrium, but they're used in all kinds of gadgets, including cell phones, computer hard drives, solar cells and hybrid vehicles. They're also considered important for the military uses such as drones.

The Legislature approved Parnell's $500,000 request last year to launch a study of rare earth minerals in Alaska by the state Division of Geological and Geophysical Surveys. That effort is ongoing, and now Parnell is seeking additional money for the study in this year's budget.

MacGillivray will work with the state, the U.S. Forest Service, and other regulators to "bring Bokan into production without delay," according to the release. He represents the first of a comprehensive team of mine-development specialists being assembled by Ucore, said Chief Operation Officer Ken Collison.

Like many mining companies hoping to tap Alaska's minerals, Ucore is from out of state, with their home-base in Hammonds Plains, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Contact Alex DeMarban at alex(at)alaskadispatch.com

Alex DeMarban

Alex DeMarban is a longtime Alaska journalist who covers business, the oil and gas industries and general assignments. Reach him at 907-257-4317 or alex@adn.com.

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