Legislature(2009 - 2010)CAPITOL 120
04/14/2010 09:00 AM House RULES
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HR16 | |
| HR17 | |
| SB301 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| * | HR 16 | ||
| * | HR 17 | ||
| SB 301 | |||
HR 16-MINING/PROCESSING OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS
9:06:13 AM
CHAIR DAHLSTROM announced that the first order of business would
be HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 16, Relating to the mining and
processing of rare earth elements in Alaska and to the
stockpiling of rare earth elements; and urging the United States
Congress to pass H.R. 4866.
9:06:32 AM
REPRESENTATIVE CRAIG JOHNSON, Alaska State Legislature, speaking
as the sponsor of HR 16, explained that HR 16 requests support
for the U.S. Congress to pass H.R. 4866, which encourages the
U.S. to become independent of foreign powers in terms of rare
earth elements. He noted that these rare earth elements are
essential and are used in defense and light bulbs. Currently,
about 97 percent of rare earth minerals are imported from China.
He noted that Alaska is blessed with these rare earth minerals.
In fact, a mine is being constructed in Bokan Mountain, which is
located in southern Alaska. He encouraged the committee to
forward HR 16 in order to forward Alaska's message that it's
prepared to stand on its own and develop its own resources.
9:08:55 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER said that she finds this very exciting.
She then inquired as to whether H.R. 4866 is necessary to move
forward with the mine located at Bokan Mountain. With regard to
the processing, refining, and purification part of this
industry, Representative Gardner asked if the minerals are
extracted in small enough quantities to have value-added
activities in Alaska, without increasing the shipping cost.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON responded that now there is only one
processing facility in the U.S., located in California, and it
can't handle the minerals that would be mined. This resolution
would call for Alaska to develop [this technology for rare
elements]. The minerals are very low radioactive level
minerals. He explained that the mines for these rare earth
minerals are narrow shaft mines because the minerals, which are
in small quantities, are located in very narrow veins with high
concentrates. Therefore, it's practical to have the processing
plants in Alaska, although it's more practical to adapt the
California facility immediately. Representative Johnson noted
that he has asked the Department of Natural Resources (DNR),
when performing its aerial mapping of Alaska, to include
equipment that would seek [and identify] these minerals.
9:11:38 AM
REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER expressed hope that one would find a way
to have a situation in which the rare ore is [processed] within
the state.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON agreed with trying to add value by
processing these rare elements in the state.
9:12:10 AM
REPRESENTATIVE NEUMAN pointed out that processing any minerals
will take energy, which will require a gas pipeline. He related
his excitement with regard to the value-added aspect of mining
and processing these rare earth elements in Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON added that these minerals are present in
water found in oil fields and in geothermal waters throughout
the world. Therefore, he has requested that the waters across
the inlet from Anchorage be tested for rare earth elements. He
then noted that the largest rare earth mine is in Australia. In
closing, Representative Johnson pointed out that Alaska can be
on the cutting edge with rare earth elements because these
minerals aren't sold on the market.
9:15:47 AM
REPRESENTATIVE KERTTULA thanked the sponsor and Chair Dahlstrom
with regard to how they handled this resolution.
9:16:04 AM
REPRESENTATIVE OLSON moved to report HR 16 out of committee with
individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes.
There being no objection, it was so ordered.
9:16:30 AM
The committee took a brief at-ease.
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