Almost everything in the world has its limits, including energy. While it may be conserved in an isolated system, it’s not exactly infinite. In our highly advanced technological era, the demands are high. Thankfully, a massive discovery of nearly 3,000,000 kg was made under this state’s land that could provide us with 14 years of energy — glowing, metaphorically speaking.
A massive discovery under this state’s land
For those who did not know, the Hecla Mining Company is in control of Alaska’s Greens Creek Mine. This mine is among the biggest and most economical silver mines in the world. Greens Creek Mine produced 8.5 million ounces of silver while keeping at an All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) in 2024, and the company estimated between 18 – 19.5 million ounces of silver-equivalent for 2025. It has shown a steady performance for the year so far, according to Hecla Mining President and CEO Rob Krcmarov, as it has already produced 4.1 million ounces of silver.
“It’s hard not to love Greens Creek because it’s just a fabulous asset.” – Krcmarov
This silver mine is glowing, metaphorically speaking, of course. The mine has reportedly increased its silver production by 5% during the first quarter when compared to the previous quarter’s production. Not only are the results impressive, but it has the potential to expand.
The mine’s 14-year reserve life
What makes this mine so unique is that its operations occur within a national monument, i.e., the Admiralty Island National Monument, per USFS. According to Hecla Mining experts, the mine currently has a proven volume of 105 million ounces of silver, which equals 2,976,699 kg. These numbers have experts believing that the mine has a probable 14-year mine life thanks to its reserves, which could provide years of energy supply.
The Hecla Mining Company explained that the goal of the silver is to utilize it to carry electricity. Silver is the world’s most effective conductor, which is why it is powdered and then made into a paste. This paste is added onto a silicon wafer, and when light hits the silicon, it results in the conduction of electricity for immediate use or battery storage.
The mine’s steady performance, its predicted mine life, and the demand for silver played a role in the decision to prolong the Greens Creek Mine production until at least 2043, many more decades of renewable energy, per the U.S. Forest Service. The official final notice indicated that there will be:
“Additional capacity for disposal of mining waste material and increased measures to protect nearby habitats.”
The potential impact on the local region
Since Rob Krcmarov was announced as the new president and CEO of the Hecla Mining Company, criticism has followed, especially after the announcement to prolong the Greens Creek Mine production. A meeting was held in May 2023, and Angoon residents and leaders gathered to declare their concern and resistance to the production decision. They argued that the impact on the local communities’ health and the ecosystem was not being considered properly, and that the Hecla Mining Company did not contribute to the communities’ financial well-being and job sector.
A 2019 inspection uncovered violations that included lead-containing dust outside of the mine’s mill storage building, improper disposal of lead-containing items used in ore processing, and inspection and labeling failures, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The Alaska Miners Association, in contrast, showcased their support in a letter in May 2023, which stated that the Greens Creek Mine:
“was the largest private-sector employer and taxpayer in Juneau, with a direct economic impact in local communities of more than $219 million.”
After various discussions and considerations, the company agreed to pay a fine of $143,124 and agreed to rectify various hazardous waste violations after the 2019 inspection discovery. Since then, the company has dedicated itself to implementing the correct mining procedures to ensure the safety of the environment.
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