GOLD, COPPER, MOLYBDENUM, AND JOBS

Flew out today with Rep. Berta Gardner to Iliamna to check out Northern Dynasty Mines’ proposed Pebble Mine Project, where a world class geologic discovery of a combination of gold, copper, and molybdenum deposits has been made. If the project comes into operation, the Pebble Mine would have a pit 2.5 miles wide, and a tailings lake covering about 20 square miles. The mine would require some 95 miles of access road to connect it with a port on Cook Inlet.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd owns all the rights to purchase this mineral deposit, which is located on state land already designated for resource development. From core samples obtained by exploration drilling, it appears that the deposit contains 27 million ounces of gold, 16.5 billion pounds of copper, as well as copper-molybdenum. That’s not pocket change. Likewise important for the Bristol Bay region where the project is located, the mine could result in some 2,000 construction jobs and 1,000 operational jobs – in an area that desperately needs for job opportunities.

Proposals for large scale projects of any kind typically spur a variety of support and opposition, and the Pebble Project is no exception. As might be expected, environmental groups are at the forefront of the opposition. There’s also some well-funded opposition from fishing lodge operators based in the Keyes Point area of Lake Clark (about 30 air miles from the proposed mine), some of whom have sought support for their opposition from US Senator Ted Stevens. However, according to a quote from Congressman Don Young, the Pebble “project is exactly what statehood advocates envisioned – Alaska supporting itself and its residents on land granted to the state for economic development.”

One reason for my trip to the Pebble Mine Project was to help give me insight as to whether the massive mine project and resultant economic development and appropriate environmental protection can co-exist. Hopefully it can. I strongly support economic and resource development, so long as reasonable actions are taken to protect Alaska’s environment. Whatever, the Pebble Mine Project has great potential.