9
Sunday, April 6, 2014
ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
A look at the Pebble Mine project By Mike Heatwole
The Pebble Deposit, located on state of Alaska land in Southwest Alaska, is a world class discovery of copper, gold and molybdenum. The Pebble Partnership was formed in 2007 to advance the project into permitting, construction and operation. With the announcement in fall 2013 that Anglo American was withdrawing from the partnership, Northern Dynasty Minerals is the sole owner of the partnership. Plans in 2014 are focused on securing a new investor for the project and preparing for permit applications to advance the project. Through 2013, extensive work has been accomplished at Pebble including: a 10-year, $150 million-dollar investment in environmental and socioeconomic studies to support project design and permitting; advanced engineering design for mine site facilities and project infrastructure; and investment in workforce and business development, stakeholder outreach and community programs. Two recent developments warrant specific focus: the Environmental Protection Agency’s Bristol Bay Assessment and subsequent 404 process under the Clean Water Act; and, an economic impact study prepared for the Pebble Partnership by IHS Global Insights, a renowned interna-
tional economic analysis and forecasting firm. In 2010, the EPA was petitioned by some tribal groups and environmental organizations to pre-emptively veto the Pebble Project using section 404c of the Clean Water Act. On Feb. 28, the EPA announced it was beginning an administrative process to consider taking pre-emptive
HILL Continued from 7
mine facilities include the open pit mine, mill, administrative facilities, tailings storage facility, water storage reservoir and the Walter Creek Heap Leach facility. Hill’s experience with both the mining and the processing sides of the business is unique. “Overall, I have had many opportunities in the industry as well as Fort Knox to get experience with many of the facets of the gold industry,” Hill said. “The current role of general manager is very rewarding as it is has involvement with all aspects of the operation while also reaching out into the community and industry.” Contact freelance writer Amanda Bohman at aknewsgirl@gmail.com.
Proudly serving the mining community since 1986! Fasteners and Much, Much More Alaskan Owned and Operated
907-452-4524 1499 Van Horn Road, Fairbanks, AK 99701
MEMBER
18500246-4-6-14AMA
department at the Sleeper Mine in northern Nevada. There he worked as a mill operator, refinery operator and heap leach operator, using chemicals to extract gold from ore. The Twin Creeks Mine, also in Nevada, came next. Hill worked as a metallurgical technician, examining and testing rock samples. “This job gave me the skill set to land a job at Fort Knox in the same role,” Hill said. For Knox is a massive operation, open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. Major
action under section 404 of the Clean Water Act — something the agency has never attempted in its 42-year history for a resource development project such as Pebble prior to a NEPA application. PLP maintains that the objective, science based NEPA process is the appropriate place to evaluate the merits and environmental consider-
ka and the U.S. agree with this position. More information about this federal overreach is available at the PLP website: www.pebblepartnership.com In May 2013, PLP released “The Economic and Employment Contributions of a Conceptual Pebble Mine to the Alaska and United States Economies” by IHS Global Insights. The report indicates development of the Pebble Mine could produce thousands of jobs, provide billions to the state of Alaska including a contribution to the state’s Permanent Fund, and generate significant economic activity in Alaska. The report determined that Pebble development could contribute $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion annually to the state’s economy. Pebble jobs could provide year-round employment in Southwest Alaska where jobs are few, the cost of living is high, the population is in PEBBLE MINE PHOTO decline and schools are closing. PLP believes responsible ations for Pebble. development of the mineral The EPA’s Bristol Bay resource at Pebble could help Assessment is a rushed and change lives for the better in flawed document and as such should not be used as the basis the region. Pebble is an asset for the for any type of agency decision people of Alaska on state land making — especially a potenopen to mineral development. tially far-reaching, precedent As such, it should be thorsetting action. oughly evaluated through the The state of Alaska, electstate and federal environmened leaders, and business and trade associations across Alas- tal permitting process.