Bill Groffy

An annual gathering for people involved in Alaska’s resource sectors, with keynote speakers, panel discussions, and more than 100 exhibitors.

The program combines technical sessions, a mining trade show, poster sessions, a Core Shack and Prospectors Tent, and policy discussions. Technical subjects include Alaska geoscience and mineral-resource data; exploration projects involving gold, antimony, lithium, tin, tantalum, niobium, nickel, graphite and copper; remote mine access and infrastructure; and mine operations and engineering. Policy sessions address Alaska permitting, mining’s economic impacts, FAST-41 coordination, water-reservation regulations, Alaska’s energy and critical-minerals future, cross-border mining collaboration, and industry collaboration on wildlife habitat. Other presentations cover permafrost and mine remediation, machine learning for safer mining and subsurface gas operations, mine-waste geomembranes, freight costs, geophysical mapping, mine engineering data, NEPA reform, Clean Water Act jurisdiction, and mine-road stabilization. The program also includes a discussion of Alaska’s resource future and regulatory priorities, a session on Kinross Alaska’s partnership with Interior Alaska, and an Alaska general-election recap. Bill Groffy, the Bureau of Land Management’s principal deputy director, and Emma Pokon, EPA Region 10 administrator, are among the featured officials.

The program combines technical sessions, a mining trade show, poster sessions, the Core Shack, the Prospectors Tent, AMA policy discussions, and updates on operations and development projects in Alaska. Technical programming covers geoscience investigations, early exploration projects, advanced exploration highlights, policy issues, and operations and development projects. Additional programming includes a Mining District Breakfast emceed by Paul Manuel, a University and Friends Breakfast, keynote luncheons, an HR Roundtable, History Night with the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation, a closing banquet, industry awards recognizing Alaska mining leaders, and support for Alaska Resource Education. The Core Shack theme, “Built to Deliver – Advancing Alaska Mining,” features core samples, project insights, discoveries, and exploration work. The Prospectors Tent showcases independent prospectors and early-exploration projects, mineral prospects, maps, photographs, and rock samples. Educational short courses address geology and processing of critical minerals for electrification; education, workforce development, and communities; leadership skills for high-performing teams; and consultant agreements, privilege, and information management for Alaska mining. Named presenters include George Case (US Geological Survey - Anchorage), Chris Jenikins (US Geological Survey - Spokane), Ehsan Vahidi (University of Nevada - Reno), Beki Toussaint and Taylor Burgh (Alaska Resource Education), Mike Heatwole (Pebble Partnership), Maureen Breeze, M. Stephen Enders, and Jill Nelson (Brooks & Nelson), and Cody Doig (Stoel Rives).

The conference brings together governors, state and federal regulatory officials, oil and natural gas industry representatives, and nongovernmental organizations to address conservation, efficient recovery and storage of domestic oil and gas resources, and protection of human health, safety, and the environment. Key sessions and discussions include: - Idle and Orphan Oil and Gas Wells, including an update from the Orphaned Wells Program Office with Jennifer Goldblatt and Chad Carbone. - A Public, Coastal, and Tribal Lands Council roundtable with Bill Groffy of the Bureau of Land Management. - A general session featuring Jessie Chmielowski, Governor Patrick Morrisey, Governor Kelly Armstrong, Attorney General John B. McCuskey, Bill Groffy, and Scott Mason, followed by the 2026 Chair's Stewardship Awards. - A Public Outreach Committee fireside chat on national and regional perspectives, with David Holt and Rebecca McPhail, plus remarks from Governor Mike Dunleavy. - Plugging End-of-Life Wells Using Cutting-Edge Technology: Example of a Successful State-NETL Partnership, presented by Markus Drouven and H. Jason Harmon. - Energy Resources, Research and Technology sessions on the American Resources for a Secure Future NPC study, the NASEM Orphaned and Abandoned Wells Report, the NPC Produced Water Study, and AI fluency for oil and gas regulators. - Legal and Regulatory Affairs sessions on communication across state lines, bad actors, and regulatory approaches described in The Injustice of One Size Fits All. - Environment and Safety sessions on well control and orphan wells, including an OOOOb/c update.