Alaska Construction Materials
Tuesday, March 9, 2010 (8 am-5pm)
$125.00(includes lunch)

The short course reviews Alaska’s historical production of these commodities, published geological and engineering data available in Alaska, and focuses on market opportunities for new aggregate and construction material ventures. Specific topics included in the course are: an overview of the availability of construction materials in Alaska, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOTPF) aggregate needs, materials information from maps, materials testing, and property rights and construction materials. The course will convene from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the Westmark Hotel, Fairbanks.

Lecturers: Dr. Paul Metz – University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Thomas Bundtzen – President, Pacific Rim Geological Consultants.

Placer Mining Methods and Best Practices

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 (8 am-5pm)
$125.00(includes lunch)

This class is about placer mining.  We will not cover prospecting for placer deposits or recreational mining .  This class is meant to give the placer miner the knowledge to look at the placer mining processes from a new perspective. Placer mining is both a science, and an art.  To best practice the art, you need to learn and apply the science.  We will cover the following and more:
1. Ground evaluation.  If it’s not in the ground, you can’t get it into the box.
2. Earth moving choices.  Must Haves, and might wants.  Also support equipment needs
3. Recovery machinery.  Washing, jigging, sluicing, and other popular dances.
4. Legal.  Avoiding Claim disputes, and permitting headaches.

Instructors: The class is being taught by instructors coming together under the direction of John Howe, A Mining machinery builder in the mining industry since 1981, with 5 years of hands-on placer mining experience.  Assisting John will be Don Keill, retired BLM Mining Engineer/Geological Engineer and co-author of “Applied Gold Placer Evaluation Techniques” (2003).  Also assisting will be Jim Deininger, a retired BLM evaluation geologist.     

MSHA Training (Free)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 (8 am-5pm)

It changes again. MSHA will hold the Surface Miner Refesher training at the Westmark. You may sign up as you register, but it is also recommended you call MAPTS directly: (907) 262-2788 and let them know you signed up.

Seats are limited.  Register soon.

Note: Short courses are open to all. Participants do not need to be AMA members or be registered for the conference.