Economic Plan

2025Southeast Alaska

SWOT AnalysisMining

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Meilani Schijvens Rain Coast Data

Timeline: Where are we in process?

SWOT & Committee

Economic Analysis

Goals & Objectives

Action Plan Review

Draft Plan

You Are Here

Priority Objectives

Resiliency

May 2020

March 2021

Mining SWOT Analysis

Feb. 4th & May 13th SWOT analyses

The Southeast Alaska Mining SWOT analysis was conducted by the Southeast

Conference Timber Committee in two sessions: On February 4th, 2020 and again

on May 13th. Once the SWOT lists were completed by the group, committee members were asked to prioritize by

choosing the top three items that they felt were most representative of regional mining strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and

threats.

Provides quality/high paying jobs

Supports regional economy

High environmental standards

Abundant mineral resources

0.5 1

35%

57%

64%

100%

StrengthsExtreme opposition

Negative public perception

Aging/insufficient infrastructure

Finite resource/mine life

0.35 0.7

25%

29%

50%

64%

Explore/develop new mineral

Public outreach/educate on value

Workforce Development/Increased jobs

Increase access into Tongass

Small to medium sized mine development0 0.8

29%

29%

43%

57%

71% Environmental groups/lawsuits

New regulations/permits/uncertainty

Lack of skilled workers

Federal management/bureaucracy0 0.45 0.9

29%

29%

57%

86%

Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

Summary of Southeast Alaska Mining SWOT: Top responses

by environmental groups

deposits & expand existing mines

Provides quality/high paying jobs

Supports regional economy

High environmental standards

Abundant mineral resources

Diversifies regional economy

Maritime access to mines

Skilled workforce

Professional growth ladder

0.5 1

7%

14%

18%

29%

35%

57%

64%

100%

Mining Strengths

Extreme opposition by environmental groups

Negative public perception

Aging/insufficient infrastructure

Finite resource/mine life

Permitting process

Workforce limitations/lack of local recruits

Regulations and regulatory uncertainty

Time to develop new mines/areas

Cost of operations (transportation, energy, etc.)

Lack of access to energy/inexpensive electricity

Remote locations of operations

Lack of understanding mining's contributions

Lack of coordinated advocacy 0.35 0.7

7%7%

10%14%14%

21%21%21%21%

25%29%

50%64%

Mining Weaknesses

Explore/develop mineral deposits/expand existing mines

Public outreach/improved communications/educate on value

Workforce Development/Increased job creation

Increase access into Tongass

Small to medium sized mine development

Cross-industry support for region

Increased use of technology

Decreased power costs

Build on a history of success/positive leadership

Rare Earth Element development0 0.8

7%

14%

17%

17%

21%

29%

29%

43%

57%

71%

Mining Opportunities

Environmental groups/lawsuits

New regulations and permits/uncertainty

Lack of skilled workers

Federal management/bureaucracy

Mine based oil spill or environmental issue

Spread of false information

Lack of access to mines

COVID-19

0 0.45 0.9

4%

7%

21%

25%

29%

29%

57%

86%

Mining Threats

could cause huge reduction in public perception

The Southeast Alaska Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats

(SWOT) analysis was developed by more than 200 Southeast Conference members, including business, municipal, and tribal

leaders from across the region in February 2020.

Beauty and Recreation Opportunities

Tourism Sector

Seafood Industry

Rich Alaska Native Culture and Heritage

People and Southeast Alaskan Spirit0.25 0.5

36%

37%

38%

41%

50%

StrengthsFerry transportation decline

Cost of living and doing business

Transportation Costs

Housing: Not enough/Too Expensive

Aging or lack of infrastructure

0.3 0.6

26%

32%

34%

42%

59%

Strengthen ferry connectivity

Mariculture development

Seafood products development

Cultural tourism development

Renewable energy

Improve infrastructure0 0.6

22%

23%

28%

31%

43%

50%Reduction/loss of Ferry Service

Fisheries decline

Poor leadership/decision making

Cost of living

Climate Change/Global Warming

Capitol move/capital creep0 0.3 0.6

28%

29%

33%

34%

34%

54%

Weaknesses

Opportunities Threats

Summary of Southeast Alaska SWOT: Top responses

Beauty and Recreation Opportunities

Tourism Sector

Seafood Industry

Rich Alaska Native Culture and Heritage

People and Southeast Alaskan Spirit

Great place to raise kids/families

Wildlife

Clean Water

Access to Natural Resources

Mining0.25 0.5

20%

22%

28%

30%

34%

36%

37%

38%

41%

50%

Strengths

Ferry transportation decline

Cost of living and doing business

Transportation Costs

Housing: Not enough/Too Expensive

Aging or lack of infrastructure

Dependence on State oil economy

Energy Costs

Lack of road connectivity

Lack of jobs that can support household

Seasonal jobs instead of year-round

Lack of childcare0.3 0.6

15%

17%

18%

20%

20%

22%

26%

32%

34%

42%

59%

Weaknesses

Ferry connectivity strengthened

Mariculture development

Seafood products development

Cultural tourism development

Renewable energy

Improve infrastructure

Housing development

Maritime industry growth

Diversify the Economy

Grow food & harvest plants

Mining industry0 0.6

18%

20%

21%

21%

21%

22%

23%

28%

31%

43%

50%

Opportunities

Loss/Further Reduction of Ferry Service

Fisheries decline

Poor leadership/decision making

Cost of living

Climate Change/Global Warming

Capitol move/capital creep

State jobs/budget cuts

Declining/aging population/loss of youth

Radical outside groups/lawsuits

Housing related0 0.3 0.6

15%

18%

18%

23%

28%

29%

33%

34%

34%

54%

Threats

Economic PlanMiningSoutheast Alaska

SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

Questions?Meilani Schijvens Rain Coast Data