December 2021
Kensington News & Updates
Message from Mark
2021 marks the return of the Kensington Newsletter. In the 2021 Culture Survey you told us we needed to improve communication and that you missed the newsletter - and so we’re bringing it back! We have made some improvements that we hope you will enjoy. It’s been over a year since the last issue and in that time, we’ve made a lot of progress on our site strategic objectives, the 4 Keys to Success : Zero Harm to People and the Environment, Execute the Plan, Improve the Margins, and Grow the Business. This month I’d like to highlight our permitting teams work on growing the business.

A key to growing the business is having enough waste rock and tailings storage to extend the mine life beyond 2023. Our permitting team has been working for the past 6 years on updating our Plan of Operations into our Plan of Operations Amendment 1 (POA 1). POA 1 is our proposal to extend the operation another 10 years (at the current production rates) by proposing additional locations for waste rock and tailings storage. In July, the United States Forest Service issued a draft Record of Decision selecting POA 1 as the selected alternative. We anticipate a final Record of Decision by the USFS shortly. This is a major milestone toward extending our life of mine. 

As we finish the year, please stay focused on our 4 Keys:

  1. Zero harm to People and the Environment. Please maintain your focus at work and at home to ensure we finish 2021 healthy and safe.
  2. Grow the Business. Elmira development, exploration and permitting continue to be the main contributors to extending mine life.
  3.  Executing the Plan. Continue to remain diligent on mining and processing our planned ore tons and look for opportunities to lower our costs (improving equipment reliability, reducing waste, reducing power).
  4. Improving our Margins. Execute on our Business Improvement initiatives including building drilled inventory, increasing stockpile inventory, executing the Mine Operations Control Center and delivering Automine tons.

I wish you all a very Happy Holiday season and thank you for making 2021 a success.
Upcoming Events

  • 12/29 Site Holiday Party
  • 12/25 Christmas Day
  • 12/31 New Year's Eve
  • 1/1 New Year's Day
  • 1/17 Martin Luther King Jr Day
  • 1/26 CAK Supervisor Training
Important Contacts

  • Dispatch 907.523.3829
  • Mill Control 907.523.3380
  • Medic 907.523.3333
  • Town Office 907.523.3300
Employee Webpage

Check the employee site for information and resources

Password: CoeurAK2021
Spotted Around Site
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Happenings around Camp
New benefit alert!

Coeur Alaska is now offering a childcare subsidy for Juneau-based full-time employees.

Coeur Alaska is partnering with Little Moon Child Care for this employee benefit. Little Moon Child Care offers holistic, inclusive, and quality childcare services. There are two centers available - Little Moon Nursery, and Little Moon Daycare, Preschool, and Outdoor Program.


Want more information? Check out the links below.
Welcome New Miners!
  • Primo Bea - Underground Miner
  • Richard Fakler - Electrician
  • Eyaun Griffin - Mill Operator
  • Danner Moffat - Mobile Mechanic
  • Alice Woods - Underground Miner
Employee Milestones
  • Mark Tobacco - 10 years
  • Dustin Peltier - 10 years
  • Michael Todd - 8 years
  • Michael McClellan - 8 years
  • John Armour - 8 years
  • Kasey Abel - 7 years
  • David Pizer - 6 years
  • John Bronson - 6 years
  • Chris Parrish - 5 years
  • Eric Allen - 5 years
  • Andrew Tunison - 4 years
  • Tyrone Smothers - 4 years
  • Salvatore Mastrocola - 4 years
  • Darryl Graham - 4 years
  • Evan Richardson - 3 years
  • Michael Jellesed - 3 years
  • Clint Carter - 3 years
  • Michael Skellie - 2 years
  • Jonathan Rasmusson - 2 years
  • Steven Nichols - 2 years
  • Abraham Barrera Tajeda - 1 year
  • Ronald Anderson - 1 year
Pursuing a Higher Standard
The following employees received Peer Recognition Awards last month by being nominated by their peers for Pursuing a Higher Standard.

  • Kevin Zigarlick
  • Carey Nollner
  • James Harris
  • Katie Kuhn
  • Matt Walker
  • Taylor Smith
  • Alan Gordon
  • John Matson
  • Steven Nichols

Congratulations on your recognition, and thank you for being an example of how Coeur Alaska Pursues a Higher Standard!

Do you want to nominate a peer for the award? Fill out a nomination form and submit it to Amanda Vredenburg at [email protected].
Safety Focus
The following tips can help keep you safer when you set out to shovel snow:

  • Warm up. Warm your muscles before heading out to shovel by doing some light movements, such as bending side to side or walking in place.
  • Push rather than lift. Pushing the snow with the shovel instead of lifting can help reduce the strain on your body. When lifting snow, bend your knees and use your legs when possible.
  • Choose your shovel wisely. Ergonomically-designed shovels can help reduce the amount of bending you have to do.
  • Lighten your load. Consider using a lighter-weight plastic shovel instead of a metal one to help decrease the weight being lifted.
  • Hit the pause button. Pace yourself and be sure to take frequent breaks. Consider taking a break after 20 to 30 minutes of shoveling, especially when the snow is wet.
  • Consider multiple trips. Consider shoveling periodically throughout the storm to avoid having to move large amounts of snow at once.
  • Keep up with snowfall. Try to shovel snow shortly after it falls, when it is lighter and fluffier. The longer snow stays on the ground, the wetter it can become. Wet snow is heavier and harder to move.
  • Wear layers. Dress in layers and remove them as you get warm to help maintain a comfortable body temperature.
  • Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated while shoveling.

Environmental Update
There were no water quality exceedences or permit excursions in November. Great job, everyone!

The Annual Environmental Training Program has been completed for 2021, and we appreciate everyone's participation. This was the first full year of environmental training completed through Vector Solutions Convergence Training Edition.

The Plan of Operations Amendment 1 (POA 1) is nearing completion which will allow for construction of additional waste rock storage areas and expanded tailings facility. The Final Record of Decision is currently scheduled to be issued by the Forest Service in January 2022. 
Coeur in the Community
Earlier this month Coeur Alaska made a $300,000 donation to strengthen the Coeur Alaska Kensington Mine Environmental Science Award, an endowed scholarship fund supporting University of Alaska Southeast (UAS) students majoring in Environmental Science or Marine Biology.