By THE ALASKA STORY
AIDEA is making a new push to connect Alaska’s vast mineral potential with the infrastructure needed to get those resources to market.
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority has released the Alaska Mineral Production, Transportation, and Port Capacity Study, a wide-ranging report that looks at how strategic investments in roads, rail, and port facilities could strengthen Alaska’s role in domestic and global mineral supply chains.
The study examines both current and projected mineral production across the state and evaluates how transportation systems, especially in Southcentral Alaska, can better support the efficient movement of minerals from mine sites to export markets.
The report says targeted improvements to Alaska’s transportation networks and port infrastructure would enhance reliability, reduce logistical bottlenecks, and improve the state’s competitiveness for future mineral development projects.
Alaska is already home to some of the world’s most significant mineral deposits, including zinc, gold, silver, and other critical minerals considered essential for modern manufacturing, energy technologies, and national security. With demand rising globally, the study emphasizes the need to ensure that infrastructure capacity keeps pace with long-term production potential.
One of the report’s key conclusions is that advancing a scalable port development concept at Port MacKenzie represents the most durable path forward for meeting Alaska’s future mineral export needs.
“This development path aligns near-term infrastructure investments with long-term demand while preserving flexibility as production profiles evolve,” the report states.
The study also highlights the broader role of Alaska’s ports in supporting mineral exports, identifying opportunities to expand capacity, improve intermodal connections, and position the state as a reliable gateway for both domestic and international markets.
AIDEA officials said the findings will help inform future planning, policy discussions, and investment decisions tied to Alaska’s mineral and infrastructure development.
The full study and a summary page are available through AIDEA’s website.
AIDEA is a public corporation of the State of Alaska with a mission to promote economic development and advance the prosperity and welfare of Alaskans through strategic financing and infrastructure support.
AIDEA, in addition to spurring the private sector economy in Alaska,
One thought on “AIDEA study points to Port MacKenzie as key to Alaska’s mineral export future”
These Studies are telling the whole world our storehouse of riches of What can be extracted from Alaska.
What’s this supposed to do for us. It’ll be over ten years before it’s extracted. Alaska leaders do not know how to lead to know how to get it to market.