Pebble Gold Mine: Alaska’s Next Gold Rush?
Austin Heinrich, 28 March 2008
 
The current and future state of Alaska’s economy currently lies in the hands of Northern Dynasty’s proposed Pebble Gold Mine in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska. Some people believe that the Pebble gold mine threatens Bristol Bay’s economy and environment, but Northern Dynasty believes that it would only bring true economic benefits to the region’s rural area, as well as minimally disturb the region’s plentiful natural resources. Although there are some positive benefits to the open pit gold mine in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, the negative aspects outweigh the risks.

First, it is important to understand what the Pebble Gold Mine is. According to an article written to raise awareness about the pebble mine, Northern Dynasty, a Canadian mining company, has applied for permits to begin developing the largest open pit gold mine in North America. Northern Dynasty’s mine, commonly nicknamed as “The Pebble Mine,” plans to consist of two major deposits, Pebble East and Pebble West, and these two massive deposits will sit just fifteen miles north of famous Lake Lliamna, Alaska’s largest body of freshwater (Miller 1). Another article expands on these plans by stating that Northern Dynasty plans to use traditional mining techniques throughout the mine’s forty to fifty year lifetime. The total area covered by both Pebble East and Pebble West’s deposits will cover a total of 14 square miles (Crafford, 1). In order to access the Pebble Mine deposits, a one hundred mile long industrial road will be built that skirts Lake Clark, and the construction of a deepwater shipping port at Bristol Bay’s Cook Inlet (Miller 1). The Pebble Mine is seeking out gold for this project. Recently, prices for gold and copper have increased dramatically. The prices for gold and copper have fueled Northern Dynasty’s Pebble Mines. Currently, there is an estimated $33 million ounces of gold beneath twenty square miles of land in the Bristol Bay region. With gold prices fluctuating at $400 to $500 an ounce, Northern Dynasty has made it clear that they plan to finalize proposed mining developments during late 2008, to early 2009. Along with the rich deposits of gold that are located in the region, copper and molybdenum are also sought after. As for numbers, under the surface of the proposed Pebble Mine lies 18.8 – 24 billion pounds of copper, and copper is currently valued at $1.60 to $1.70 per pound. In total, Northern Dynasty’s mine deposits plan on cashing out at $300 billion worth of gold, copper, and molybdenum (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 2”). Northern Dynasty seriously plans on “striking gold” with the Pebble Mine.
 
Along with all open pit gold mines come waste issues. Northern Dynasty has chosen areas to store the estimated 4.1 billion tons of waste that the Pebble deposits plan to unearth. The toxic waste would fill ten square miles of impoundments, and Northern Dynasty would build two dams to hold the waste. Unused rock would be kept in enormous piles located near the mine sites, and a twenty square mile toxic lagoon would also be built to hold the waste. Also, a section of Alaska’s Frying Pan Lake would be home to some of the toxic waste from the mine (Crafford 1). Northern Dynasty will have their hands full containing all of the waste that they are planning to come out of the Pebble Mine, which if not managed correctly, could damage the fragile ecosystem of the Bristol Bay region.
 
Since the Bristol Bay region of Alaska is such a rural area in today’s standards, Northern Dynasty brings hope for people living in the area who are hoping to change their ways of living only off the land. In an article that focuses on the development of the Pebble mine, Northern Dynasty states that the Pebble Mine will bring work for the community. “Northern Dynasty estimates that the Pebble Mine would require 2,000 workers during the construction phase and 1,000 thereafter. Skilled jobs would pay up to $60,000 a year” (Miller 6). Northern Dynasty has recognized the local opposition and are quickly taking action by holding public meetings and head to heads with village councils who are opposed to the mine. Northern Dynasty believes that the amount of jobs offered to the people living in the region is enough to win over village votes for the mine. Dan Salmon, a local administrator that works in several business fields, recalls that many people are planning to be dependant on the Pebble Mine in the near future. “There’s a fair selection of the community that’s looking at this as a viable career. I don’t think it’s fair of me to extinguish their hopes” (Miller 2). However, the people that inhabit the rural Bristol Bay region of Alaska have based their economy on living off the land. The major factor concerning the Pebble Mine is the fact that the Pebble Mine could destroy the regions natural resources. The people and groups that are fighting against the Pebble Mine resemble not only the local region, but a plethora of native villages, sport fishing lodges, and many non profit environmental groups. Many of these non profit environmental groups have filled a ballot that states opposition towards the Pebble mine, which Northern Dynasty is currently fighting in court (Roosevelt 3). Standing with the native villages of the Bristol Bay area is a mining engineer and geophysicist David Chambers. In an article stating the opposition to the Pebble mine, Chambers states that no matter how well the Pebble Mine is conducted, there will be problems. “I know the folks who build the Pebble Mine are going to try to do a good job, what I can say is that there will be problems. I’ve never seen a mine that doesn’t have them” (Miller 1). Most of the local villages in the Bristol Bay region seem as though they are totally opposed to the mine. In a recent article, the author lets the reader know that even teachers at the local elementary schools are teaching their students to oppose the mine. “A group of seventh graders in nearby Dillingham has banded together as Rebels to the Pebble, a dogged and creative activist corp. Their teacher, Kathy McLinn, says the students acted after dong research into the project and its possible effects of the environment” (“Alaskan Kids Say….1”). In total, the people and companies that are fighting against Northern Dynasty’s proposed Pebble mine have made it clear that they don’t intend to go down without a fight.
 
But, the native people of the Bristol Bay region have good reason to be worried about the impact of the mine on their enviornment. In a fly fishing magazine article that focuses on the possible negative impacts to the environment, the article states that the Canadian company is not responsible for negative impacts to the environment. “Northern Dynasty claims that it cannot be held liable for environmental damages to the Pebble area because it is not a U.S. company.” Also mentioned in the article, Mara Bacsujlaky states how Northern Dynasty is considered as a mining “junior,” and could sell its mining rights to a more larger and less concerned about protecting the resources mining industry after they have become fully licensed. Mara describes juniors as “companies which more properly are exploration companies, are those with no operating mines or ore reserves, whose principle activity is speculation, conducting exploration programs in new areas, funded by massive stock placements. Although infrequently a junior will find something worth mining, most times a ‘hot prospect’ turns out to be a bust, with neither a mineable deposit nor a mining company standing in line to take the property” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold….2). Since the Pebble Mine is operated under the Canadian company Northern Dynasty and is considered to be a “Junior” in the mining industry, critics, environmentalists, and locals are using the fact that the mine will be sold to a bigger and less environmentally friendly company to fight against the mine.
 
Another large industry is also taking a stand against the Pebble Mine. Many large jewelry companies such as Wal-Mart, Sterling Jewelers inc, Kay Jewelers, and Jarred the Galleria have endorsed the “No Dirty Gold” campaign, which searches for jewelry companies that seek to ensure that gold is mined without threatening fragile ecosystems, that waste is not dumped into waterways, and that the workers rights remain protected (Roosevelt 3). The Jewelers that have accepted the “No Dirty Gold” campaign are aware of the environmental risks that come along with Northern Dynasty’s Pebble gold mine. Along with the native population of the area and the large jewelling companies that oppose the Pebble mine, major fly fishing company manufactures have joined together to fight the Pebble mine. In an article written to raise awareness about the Pebble Mine, three major fly fishing outfitters, Sage, Redington, and Rio, have joined together to create a fly rod, fly reel, and fly line outfit whose profits will be donated to Trout Unlimited (T.U.) to fight the Pebble mine. For each fly fishing outfit that is sold, Sage, Redington, and Rio will donate $200. The estimated total donation will be between $60,000 to $120,000 (“Alaska’s Amazing Bristol Bay Fisheries Threatened by Pebble Mine Complex 1”). On the contrary, Northern Dynasty critics and spokesmen intend to keep local opposition to a dull roar by setting up conferences and meetings with locals regarding the Pebble Mine in the area. For every sentence that the opposing crowd states toward the Pebble mine, Northern Dynasty spokesmen have excuses and alternatives to the problems. Sean McGee, a spokesman for the Pebble Mine, addresses the Dirty Gold Campaign by stating that the large jewelry companies that have joined the “No Dirty Gold” campaign and Northern Dynasty’s mining plans are more alike than people think they are. “There is a lot of common ground between the Dirty Gold camp and the approach we are taking. We support high environmental standards for mining. If the fisheries can’t be protected, we won’t advance the project” (Roosevelt 2). Bruce Jenkins, the chief operating officer of Northern Dynasty, always seems to have persuasive arguments that warrant the Pebble Mine development. Jenkins earned a M.S. in fisheries ecology, and seems to be aware of the possible environmental risks that could come with the Pebble Mine. For one of Jenkins rebuttals, he states that there is no need for sportsmen to worry about acid runoff contaminating rivers in the area of which salmon spawn in. “There’s no need to fret about acid runoff, ninety-five percent of the material removed from the pit will be nonreactive. But we designed a mill process that would separate the reactive streams, and they will be disposed of in the tailings impoundment, surrounded by rock that is acid-consuming and submerged in subaqueous storage” (Miller 7). Even though it seems as though Northern Dynasty is focusing hard on trying to win over peoples votes for the Pebble Mine, the native villages and people living in the area are unwilling to budge. The people living in the Bristol Bay region recognize how important and fragile the Bristol Bay watershed is and understand that open pit gold mines have reeked environmental havoc in the past.
 
The major factor that warrants the rejection of the Pebble Gold Mine is that it risks the Bristol Bay watershed. Fisherman from around the world come to partake in the amazing fishing experience that the Bristol Bay region offers. Bristol Bay Alaska is home to the world’s largest salmon runs, and home to the world’s largest commercial salmon fishing industry, raking in $93 million every year. The industry employs a total of 12, 500 people (Miller 2). An article from a well - known fly fishing magazine lays out the risks of the Pebble Mine for fisherman and economy figures alike. “The vast open – pit mine, if licensed, would sit on state land in the cradle of the Bristol Bay fisheries’ spawning grounds, in the headwaters of the Koktuli River and Upper Talarik Creek part of the Nushagak and Kvichak drainages 20 miles northwest of Lake Llliamna, between the Newhalen and Mulchatna Rivers.” The Bristol Bay watersheds produce the world’s greatest wild commercial salmon fishery, worth between $20 and $100 million annually, and not counting the sport fishing lodge and ancillary services revenue.” Many people believe that the Pebble Mine would only make finding jobs scarce in the area because of the possible loss of the salmon fishery. Once the Chinook, sockeye, chum, silver, and pink salmon enter the watershed’s rivers to make their annual spawn, the rainbow trout follow and feed off the salmon eggs. “Bristol Bay is the worlds greatest fly - fishing wilderness, and its wild salmon-fed rainbows are the crown jewels of the watershed” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 3”).
 
Also mentioned in the article, the author lets readers know about how the Pebble Mine could possibly destroy all of the Bristol Bay watershed’s fisheries due to the recent inquires made out by the governor. “Ironically, Gov. Murkowski worked with the mining companies to change a state law that forbids dumping mine wastes in salmon and trout spawning streams. The new regulations would allow dumping of mine wastes into those streams to create ‘mixing zones.’ If that happens, all the Bristol Bay waters would potentially be open to mine wastes” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 3”). In an environmentally related article, the author of Essential Environment, The Science Behind The Stories, shares his observations on the proposed Pebble Mine. “The Pebble is just the tip of the iceberg here. New mining claims in the Pebble region in the past 12 months total some 1,000 square miles of state land. The 3.5 million acres of BLM lands, if opened to hard – rock mining, would be in addition to that. If this Pandora’s box is opened, we could be looking at a major industrial mining complex with many heap – leach and other operations, a complex of roads and all the industrial/environmental threats that accompany such developments” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 3”). Also mentioned in this article, “Kraft” explains that the Pebble Mine could support dangerous mining poisons that develop slowly, as people saw happen with the Zortman – Landusky Mine in Montana. The quote in the article states that the worst place to build a mine in Alaska is exactly where the Pebble Mine is located, and that even though Northern Dynasty states that the gold mine will only have a 40 – 50 year lifetime, the damage that is caused by the mine would have to be treated as long as possible. “The tailings that Pebble would produce must be treated forever, and the mine would be located in the most sensitive headwaters of the spawning area. Alaska needs a moratorium of mining with any salmon or trout spawning areas. In terms of salmon and trout spawning, this is the worst place in Alaska to locate a hard – rock mine. The best way to stop this is for sportsmen to get involved by supporting TU. TU has taken the lead in this fight” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 4”). Noting on how Northern Dynasty is considered a mining “junior,” Mara Bacsujlaky states that juniors have a history of selling mining rights to other major and less environmentally friendly mining companies. Since juniors are exploratory companies, they often times leave behind messes that are never taken care of. “What juniors leave behind in their “explorations” includes “unreclaimed drill holes, trenches, drilling muds, fuel spills, abandoned fuel drums and other camp items or trash, unreclaimed or poorly constructed and sited exploration roads, resulting in longterm damage to habitat from erosion or increased access” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 2”). With the possible introduction of the Pebble Mine, the mining “junior” would possibly leave behind devastating waste that would never be cleaned up, and thus left to flow into the environmentally sound salmon and trout spawning rivers and creeks. Scott R. Brennan, sums it all up by stating that the Pebble Mine is a total fluke, and should be stopped immediately. “This is the only mine in Alaska that we are opposing because it would be the ultimate disaster – location, location, location: wrong mine, wrong place environmentally, and wrong time” (“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine 3”). The Pebble Mine is located in the area where sportsmen from around the world congregate, and is threatened forever with the introduction of the Pebble Mine.
 
It seems as though there are some positive benefits to the open pit gold mine in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, but the negative aspects outweigh the risks. For decades upon decades, people have shared in the beauty of the untouched wilderness known as Bristol Bay. Both sport fisherman and commercial fisherman come to this land year after year to share the resources that it has to offer. The native people living in the rural Bristol Bay region have lived off the land for centuries, hunting and fishing to support for their families and communities which still stand strong today. The people living in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska recognize that the Pebble Mine could bring substantial income to the rural area, but are more concerned about loosing the land that their families have shared wealth in for decades due to the possible introduction of the Pebble Mine. The people living in the region have recognized that the Pebble Mine would wreak havoc on an environmentally sensitive ecosystem, one that remains untouched and beneficial to all who live in the area, and that the Canadian mining company Northern Dynasty must be turned away from this project.
 
 
Works Cited
“Alaskan Kids Say No To A Gold Mine.” NPR. February 28, 2008 http://www.npr.org 
“Alaska’s amazing Bristol Bay fisheries threatened by Pebble Mine complex.” December 11,
2007. Trout Unlimited. 29 February 2008 http://www.tu.org 
“Alaska’s Pebble Gold Mine.” Fly Fisherman. 27 February 2008 http://flyfisherman.com 
Crafford, Tom. “Pebble Project.” November 8, 2007 Division of Mining, Land, and Water.
December 8, 2007. 8 February 2008. http://www.dnr.state.ak.us 
Miller, Kenneth. “Pebble Mine.” 2007. EBSCOhost. Greely High School Library, Cumberland,
Maine. December 3, 2007. 28 February 2008 http://web.ebscohost.com 
Roosevelt, Margot. “Retailers to hold mine to higher gold standards.” Los Angeles Times.
February 15, 2008. 26 February 2008 http://www.latimes.com