$1 million Kinross Gold gift supports engineering students
August 16, 2011
907-474-7902
8/16/11
The University of Alaska Fairbanks and Kinross Fort Knox today announced a gift to support graduate student research in mining engineering at UAF.
The $1 million engineering research endowment will allow UAF to provide advanced training for mining engineers by establishing a steady source of research funding.
“The endowment provides an important step toward replacing the efforts formerly led by the federal Bureau of Mines,” said Lauren Roberts, Kinross Gold regional vice president of North America. “UAF is conducting research and making gains in important areas that will pay dividends for the industry, Alaska and Fort Knox.”
The U.S. Bureau of Mines, which was closed in the mid-1990s, used to provide federal funding for mining research. Since its closure, finding funding for masters- and doctorate-level training has been a challenge, said Rajive Ganguli, chairman of the mining and geological engineering department at UAF.
“Alaska has minerals not just in its past, but also in its future. Realization of the full potential of our mineral resources requires both highly trained engineers and insight into our unique technical challenges,” Ganguli said. “This gift helps Alaska on both of these aspects: The monies will not only result in advanced training of the next generation of mining engineers, but will also help find solutions to our technical problems.”
The mining engineering program was one of the first at UAF, which was founded in 1917 as the Alaska Agricultural College and School of Mines. Since then, the university has served as a training ground for mining engineers for companies throughout the state, as well as the nation and world. As part of that mission, UAF has formed partnerships with mining companies like Kinross, which provides students access to high-caliber mentors and internship and job opportunities in the Fairbanks community. In addition, UAF students and faculty members regularly collaborate with Fort Knox on research projects and Fort Knox employees volunteer as members of advisory boards at UAF.
"UAF prides itself on working closely with industry to produce the type of engineering graduate who can be effective right out of college. We couldn't do that without active partnerships like the one we have with Kinross,” said Doug Goering, dean of the UAF College of Engineering and Mines. “As we go forward, the technical challenges associated with developing the state's mineral resources are only getting more complex. The support Kinross is providing will help us understand those challenges better and provide training aimed at advancing all aspects of mining in Alaska."
Ganguli said the donation shows Kinross’ strong commitment to Alaska and the local community.
“They have shown faith in our ability to train engineers and solve difficult problems,” he said. “We will get better and stronger as a result of their generosity.”
Kinross’ partnership with UAF has been beneficial to the company as well, Roberts said.
“Kinross is pleased to operate in a region with such a strong mining engineering program at the local university,” he said. “We've been fortunate enough to attract UAF graduates and have also appreciated the opportunity to help our existing employees develop their skills through higher education at UAF.”
Kinross Gold Corporation is a Canada-based gold mining company with mines and projects in Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Ghana, Mauritania, Russia and the United States and employs approximately 7,500 people worldwide. The Kinross Fort Knox mine, located 25 miles northeast of Fairbanks, began commercial production in 1997. In 2011 the site poured its five-millionth ounce of gold. The mine employs more than 500 local residents.
ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Lorna Shaw, Fort Knox community and government relations manager, 907-490-2218 or lorna.shaw@kinross.com. Rajive Ganguli, mining engineering department chairman, at 907-474-7212 or rganguli@alaska.edu. Doug Goering, College of Engineering and Mines dean, at 907-474-7730 or djgoering@alaska.edu.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A photo from the gift announcement will be available online at www.uafnews.com.
MG/8-16-11/037-12