Mineral Development in the Arctic

As part of the Institute of the North’s Week of the Arctic, we are proud to present an economic development summit focused on responsible mining in the Arctic region. Convened in cooperation with the Arctic Economic Council/U.S., and local partners NANA and the Northwest Arctic Borough, this is a unique opportunity to better understand the U.S. Arctic, local priorities and perspectives, and circumpolar best practices.

During this event, the Arctic Economic Council will release its report on Responsible Mineral Development. The report features critical themes for responsible development related to:

• Human Capacity
• Built Infrastructure
• Regulatory and Governance
• Financial

The Summit will provide an opportunity for participants to review and provide additional commentary on this report. The report serves as a beginning for broader pan-Arctic dialogue. Local and regional stakeholders will add their own input and the context within which this circumpolar effort can be applied. Together, the group will develop additional insight by tackling important challenges, including:

• Managing environmental, social, cultural and economic risk
• Ensuring benefits accrue to local and regional governments, companies and investors
• Development of partnerships between land and resource owners, companies and communities
• Mobilization and leveraging of investment
• Supportive infrastructure and business development opportunities
• International cooperation

Attendees will include international business partners, high-level government officials, investors, community and indigenous leaders, and other subject matter experts from across Alaska, the U.S. and Arctic. We expect limited capacity in this small northern community, so register soon to ensure your ability to participate. By invitation only.

Those attending should plan to arrive on Sunday, April 29 and expect site visits to Red Dog Mine, Cape Blossom and local attractions such as renewable energy projects and the workforce training center.

PROGRAM

Arctic Mineral Development: Social and Economic Benefits to Northern Peoples

Red Dog – A Model for Northern Resource Development

Presentation of AEC Report on Responsible Mineral Development

Community Engagement “World Café”

Mining, Indigenous Communities and Regional Development

Circumpolar Best Practices – Criteria, Scalability, Flexibility, Inclusivity

Local Benefit – Workforce Development and Community Capacity Building

Managing Risk – Technological Innovation, Indigenous Knowledge

Efficient and Effective Regulatory Processes and Revenue Development

Community Dialogue – Land and Resource Owners as Partners

Project Drivers – Government, industry and Local-Led Processes

Investment that Counts: Capital Mobilization and Maximizing Return

Built Infrastructure: Investment, Connectivity, Accessibility, Community Development

Spillover Effects of Mining – Logistics and Enterprise Development

Value-Added Processing and Exportability

International Cooperation – Promoting Responsible Mineral Development

Report on Takeaways and Outcomes

ABOUT INSTITUTE OF THE NORTH

As Alaska’s Center for Arctic Policy, the Institute of the North provides strategic direction for the state as it considers and implements its approach to the Arctic at a local, regional, national and international level. The Institute of the North is a clearinghouse of information, able to share best practices from other Arctic nations and connect to a circumpolar network of Arctic experts. We are grounded in Alaskan priorities and perspectives as related to socio-economic development, governance and the human dimension. We facilitate greater public awareness at home and abroad, helping to convey the reality, richness and responsibility of living, working and learning in the Arctic region. Learn more at www.institutenorth.org.