The environmental protection agency told staff scientists that it was no longer opposing a controversial alaska mining project that could devastate one of the worlds most valuable wild salmon. This jquery slider was created with the free easyrotator software from. The epa report, an assessment of potential mining impacts on salmon ecosystems of bristol bay, alaska, identifies the risks from largescale mining projects like the proposed pebble mineeverything from the development of a mine, its daytoday operation, and storage of minerelated waste expected to be near 10 billion tons in the. Pebble partnership proposes to mine copper and gold. Home pebble mine information waste diposal waste disposal at the pebble mine amount and type of waste mine tailings the processing of ore promotes the dissolution and mobilization of elements present in the oreconsequently, tailings undergo chemical reactions after their deposition in the repository and their composition changes over time. Save bristol bay is an effort to protect bristol bay from the pebble mine and future mining proposals that threaten this pristine wilderness.
Here you will find information about permitting, public input, science, and news updates. Pebble mine alaska the case for and against snowbrains. The mine site including the pit, tailings storage, and all primary facilities is located on state of alaska land. The area around pebble was secured by the state of alaska during the cook inlet. The transaction agreements lay out a schedule to accomplish this goal, targeting completion of a prefeasibility study by december 2008, a feasibility study by 2011 and commencement of commercial production by 2015. Bristol bay did pebble derisk alaskas most controversial mine. The final deal was described by steven levy as an asset sale involving pebble s software, firmware, patents, but not the actual hardware or inventory. Pebble limited partnership revealed its project plan for the development of the pebble mine in december 2017. By holding projects to high standards they help to protect local communities and businesses from the risks associated with development projects. The pebble project is a coppergoldmolybdenum porphyry deposit in the advanced exploration stage.
I fear the same awaits alaskas pebble mine, a nightmare proposed by the canadian mining company, northern dynasty. Epa region 10 initiated a process to protect one of the worlds most valuable salmon fisheries, in bristol bay, alaska, from the risks posed by a mine at the pebble deposit. We also developed a timeline with a broad overview of the projects history, and possible permitting and construction timeframe. In the letter, borden combines publicly available information about the current pebble mine plan with pebble s own financial assumptions reflected in a 2011 preliminary economic assessment. Early in 2020, look for another attempt to push forward the disastrous pebble mine project in alaska. The center is currently overseeing a multistage dialogue designed to identify and discuss issues concerning potential development. A second set of pebble mine opponents to sue the epa. A leaked summary of the pebble mine projects preliminary final environmental impact statement says u. What happened with pebble and what will happen to its. The study documents the global significance of the bristol bay wild salmon fishery the largest sockeye salmon fishery in the world and highlights the severe impacts and risks of largescale mining, including the proposed pebble mine, in the bristol bay watershed. Pebble mine has an abundance of copper, gold, and molybdenum. April 18, 2020 a federal district court ruled to grant a motion to dismiss a case brought by multiple groups opposed to pebble that had contested a decision by the epa to withdraw the preemptive veto of the pebble project.
The epa report, an assessment of potential mining impacts on salmon ecosystems of bristol bay, alaska, identifies the risks from largescale mining projects like the proposed pebble mine everything from the development of a mine, its daytoday operation, and storage of mine related waste expected to be near 10 billion tons in the. Pebble watch created a visual timeline of major points in the history of the pebble project, including involvement of the epa and litigation and regulations that could affect its development. Army corps of engineers officials declined to model a tailings dam failure at the mine because of the designs chosen by the company but mine opponents contend thats simply unacceptable. Pebble limited partnership applicant has applied for federal permits to develop a portion of the pebble deposit as an openpit mine, along with an associated transportation corridor, amakdedori port facility, and natural gas pipeline. Pebble is also planning concepts to promote economic development in the bristol bay region. Pebble limited partnership applicant has applied for federal permits to develop a portion of the pebble deposit as an openpit mine, along with an associated. These are likely not the final changes, as projects tend to change throughout the permitting process. Bill walker, who opposed the pebble mine, and has served as manager to several local governments across alaska, including the city of dillingham, a commercial fishing hub in the bristol bay region. In 2007, the pebble limited partnership plp brought the keystone center, an organization that specializes in convening stakeholder dialogues, into the discussion about the proposed pebble mine in southwest alaska. How alaskas proposed pebble mine conflict could shape future. Mining claims in the region that become economically feasible with infrastructure developed by pebble.
Canadian mining company exits pebble mine deal in alaska, leaving project in question opponents of the mine are calling on the states governor to stop the project. Pebble is also planning concepts to promote economic development in. The transportation corridor includes state of alaska and ancsa land. Hladick is a former commissioner of the alaska department of commerce, community and economic development under former gov. Even a smaller pebble mine, as developer now plans, could. Uncertainty swirls around pebble mine after epa surprise. Oct 03, 2017 bristol bay braces for long awaited pebble mine plans. Animals and plants which are exposed to the contaminations are bound to undergo from different diseases. Alaska may be able to veto pebble mine project news. The epa found that even a mine much smaller than one proposed by pebble would harm the bristol bay watershed and fishery.
The company is focusing on a much smaller footprint in the pebble. Whether that or the promise of a smaller, cleaner mine will sway any mine opponents remains to be seen. In the case of the pebble mine, they have abandoned those responsibilities and failed at that job. This software only works with version 2 and greater of the palmos operating system. Kpl to develop the designs for the tailings impoundment facilities that will be. A leak or spill from pebble mine would endanger the local sockeye salmon population.
The project is located on state land in the bristol bay region of southwest alaska, approximately 17 miles northwest of the community of iliamna. Pebble limited partnership applicant proposes to develop the pebble coppergoldmolybdenum porphyry deposit pebble deposit as an openpit mine, with associated infrastructure, in southwest alaska, approximately 17 miles westnorthwest of the villages of iliamna, newhalen, and nondalton. Additional software is available for download in separate zip files. Pebble watch is an impartial educational program that emphasizes facts to provide relevant information related to development of the proposed pebble mine in bristol bay, alaska. Sample source code for developing new pebbles applications, slideshow commander for palm is available for purchase from synergy. Development of the pebble mine would threaten the bristol bay fishery and the worldclass salmon run which has served as the heart of our. The economic and employment contributions of a conceptual. A coalition of groups that oppose the pebble mine has filed a lawsuit against the u. You can also find articles there about pebble mine water and hydrology, mining claims near pebble, and an article on the keystone article on pebble mine. The main controversy over the mine s development is that the project will endanger salmon and other fisheries in the bristol bay region.
Pebble mine is the common name of a very large porphyry copper, gold, and molybdenum. Alternative 1 includes the proposed mine site at pebble. Northern dynasty began its extensive exploration program of the pebble deposit in 2002 and. Erics mention above about their willingness to keep pebbles developers and users in the game along with this line in the fitbit announcement gives me a bit of hope the acquisition will also accelerate the development of customized solutions and third party applications for fitbit group health customers and partners. The western section of pebble deposit was explored between 1988 and 1997 by cominco now teck, which initially held the mineral rights at pebble. Pebble mine owner expresses substantial doubt about its. Oct 06, 2017 early thursday morning in anchorage pebble ceo tom collier began the rollout of pebble mines new design. Epas reversal on alaskas pebble mine a victory for. Dec 02, 2017 even a smaller pebble mine, as developer now plans, could face high development hurdles. The pebble mine saga enters a new chapter high country. If built, pebble would be the largest mine in north america. New epa head for alaska talks pebble, budget cuts and.
Epa sued for lifting restrictions on pebble mine project. For more than a decade, the threat of a huge, openpit copper and gold mine has loomed over the heart of pristine salmon spawning territory in bristol bay, alaska. Pebble mine owner expresses substantial doubt about its future by undercurrent news dec. View all public comments on the proposal links to docket on regulations. Walker speaks out against pebble mine as company announces new mine plan. In december 2017, northern dynasty minerals ltd ndm submitted a 404 permitting application with a project description for a smaller footprint 20year mine plan for the pebble project, which uses a portion of the above resource. Although local and statewide opposition to pebble mine is strongmore than 80 percent and 62 percent, respectivelythe state of alaska, renowned for its prodevelopment perspective, has thrown. Canadian mining company exits pebble mine deal in alaska. Pebble project, alaska mining technology mining news. Leaves environmental devastation environmental impact is one of the biggest reasons that people strongly oppose pebble mine. Pebble cant ignore the edits and expect a passing grade.
Pebble mine fails financial feasibility analysis nrdc. Apr 14, 2014 toxic wastes which from pebble mining are frequently accumulated in deserted mine pits. The lack of even a conceptual level plan is a particular concern because closure of the 20year pebble mine will be complex and very costly almost certainly exceeding 1. The company is focusing on a much smaller footprint in the pebble west deposit only. The base case for alternative 1 is plps original proposed pebble project, described in detail in the draft eis, with minor project optimizations to avoid and minimize environmental impacts.
On february 20th, the army corps of engineers released its draft environmental impact statement for the enormously controversial pebble mine. In 2012 wild salmon center and trout unlimited produced a report examining the proposed pebble mine and its potential impacts on the wild salmon fishery of bristol bay, alaska. Pebble development will coexist with fish and water resources in bristol bay photo credit. Pebble mines draft environmental impact statement released grim outlook for bristol bay.
So the pebble mine project, just like any other natural resource development project, will be subject to an established permitting process, he said in a statement reported last december. Nov 14, 2016 pebble mine would be an open pit about two miles long and 528 meters 1,700 feet deep. The pebble mine, if fully developed, would be one of the largest openpit mines on the world, with earthen dams. The case for the mine is quite simple, it would provide domestic resources, jobs, infrastructure, and a boost to not only the local economy, but the state and national economy as a whole. A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit against the epa for their handling of the pebble mine project, but the application process is still ongoing. Pebble mine american fly fishing trade association. Pebble mine coppergold prospect ground truth trekking. The pebble mine project is a controversial proposal by northern dynasty minerals to build one of the largest gold and copper mines in the world, in southwest alaska, near lake iliamna.
Our position will always be that the bristol bay region is too special for the pebble mine. If built, the mine would be north americas largest gold and copper mine, potentially producing hundreds of billions of dollars worth of metals. Truth is the development would be approximately 100 miles away from bristol bay and according to the deis would cause minimal risk to the salmon fishery. Learn more about the status of the pebble project and participate in respectful discussion. The epa dropped its opposition to the mine in june 2019 to allow the project to enter the national environmental policy act permitting process. The proposed pebble mine is located in southwest alaska, on state land near lake iliamna and lake clark, and is situated atop the largest known gold deposit in the world. Mike dunleavy secretly collaborated with pebble mine to. As is standard practice, the deis will be subject to a period of public discussions and comment. Read the executive summary and proposed determination.
Mar 25, 2010 anglo american ceo cynthia carroll promised that the company would abandon its illfated plan for pebble mine if faced. The lead which mines release into the atmosphere can lead to mental retardation. Trumps epa wants to put a toxic mine in pristine alaska. The pebble mine saga enters a new chapter high country news. Weighing pebble mine high country news know the west. In fact, the wild salmon center and trout unlimited have produced a report outlining the significant ecological concerns that are sure to follow a largescale mine. Oct 05, 2017 pebble unveils longawaited smaller mine plan. I am not supportive of the pebble mine, walker told alaska public media. The proposed pebble mine would directly impact the worlds greatest sockeye salmon run, putting in jeopardy thousands of american jobs, a cultural tradition of subsistence dating back 10,000 years, and a robust sportfishing and. Walker speaks out against pebble mine as company announces. The lawsuits filed tuesday and wednesday in alaska federal court by the bristol bay economic development corp.
Bbncs firm opposition to pebble is consistent with the values of cultural and economic sustainability to which we hold ourselves. The economic and employment contributions of a conceptual pebble mine to the alaska and united states economies may 20 page iv while more detailed results are presented throughout this report, the table above captures the salient topline average annual impacts of the pebble mine3. Oct 06, 2017 pebble shows first glance at its new mine plans october 6, 2017 by dave bendinger, kdlgdillingham a visual depiction of where pebble will file a permit for 20 year mining permit to operate. Pebble shows first glance at its new mine plans alaska. Army corps of engineers began work on an environmental impact statement for the project. The fight over the proposed pebble mine in southern alaska is a harbinger. Pebble mine would not be expected to reduce salmon.
Epa drops protection for wild salmon alaska bristol bay cnn. Pebble project drill program achieves million foot milestone. Position on the pebble mine project national parks. History and location northern dynasty minerals ltd. New epa head for alaska talks pebble, budget cuts and climate change february, 2018 by elizabeth harball, alaskas energy desk chris hladick was appointed as epa region 10 administrator in october.
Preliminary final report on monitoring the brown bear population affected by development associated with the proposed pebble mine project becker 2010 section 3. Alaska journal corps finds less risk of pebble dam failure. For each year of the construction phase cp, the mine will, on. This report describes significant ecological, economic, and cultural concerns raised by proposed development of the pebble copper, gold, and molybdenum deposit in the headwaters of the bristol bay basin, which is home.
The trump administration is paving the way for the disastrous pebble mine the toxic, gold and copper mega mine that poses catastrophic risks to alaskas spectacular bristol bay and its worldrenowned salmon runs. Updated resource estimate confirms pebble east as one of. This industry has raised a lot of concern, court proceedings, etc trying to halt the mine from being developed in fear that it would harm salmon habitat. Pebble mine update outdoors unlimited media and magazine. The purpose of the pebble partnership is to engineer, permit, construct and operate a modern, longlife mine at the pebble project. Mining in this region is controversial because mining can cause significant adverse impacts to water quality and fisheries and 51% of the worlds sockeye salmon originates from bristol bay. In due time they be brought by rainwater into rivers and streams.
Located on alaska state land designated for mineral exploration and development, the us geological survey has listed the pebble resource. Pebble unveils longawaited smaller mine plan anchorage. What happened with pebble and what will happen to its developer community. Pebble mine is the common name of a very large porphyry copper, gold, and molybdenum mineral deposit in the bristol bay region of southwest alaska, near lake iliamna and lake clark. Early thursday morning in anchorage pebble ceo tom collier began the rollout of pebble mine s new design. Bristol bay braces for long awaited pebble mine plans. Mar 20, 20 if built, pebble would be the largest mine in north america. About pebble mine science this site promotes sharing of objective scientific information on proposed copper mining in bristol bay, alaska.
To see our latest information about pebble, visit our current pebble mine coppergold prospect article on ground truth trekking. Pebble watch is an impartial educational program that emphasizes. If the pebble mine is developed, the subsistence culture of thousands of people who live in the bristol bay region will be. Army corps of engineers by the end of the year, part of the process to receive development permits from agencies, said tom collier, chief executive of pebble partnership. The pebble deposit is a massive storehouse of gold, copper and molybdenum, located in the headwaters of the kvichak and nushagak rivers, two of the eight major rivers that feed bristol bay. The epa under president trump lifted its veto of the proposed massive openpit pebble mine in southwest alaska that the agency under president obama had agreeing with environmentalists determined would pose too much of a risk to bristol bay.
Frontline pbs program frontline and pbs have several videos and articles about the pebble mine and related topics. Development of the pebble mine would threaten the bristol bay fishery and the worldclass salmon run which has served as the heart of our subsistence lifestyle, supporting our people for generations. Ahead of ceo tom colliers presentation of pebbles plans to the resource development council in anchorage thursday morning, the. Epa confirms negative impact of pebble mine development.
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