Archives: Articles - Page 2

30

July 2024

Could Chevron decision affect Pebble mine?

In June 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled a longstanding precedent called “Chevron deference” that had given federal agencies a lot of authority for how they implemented complex laws like the Clean Water Act. The Court took this action in a case entitled Loper Bright in which the Court reviewed an interpretation of the Magnuson-Stevens … Continued

30

July 2024

Mining claims in the Pebble deposit area

General Post

The BBNC Land Department has produced a series of maps for Pebble Watch that show mining claims in the Pebble deposit area and how they have changed over the years. Pebble Limited Partnership claims have decreased from 415.5 square miles in 2017 to 275.7 square miles in 2024. Other developers also have claims in the … Continued

18

April 2024

EPA Action Determinative – Pebble Permit Denial Affirmed

General Post

Nearly a year ago, the Alaska District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corp) was tasked with reviewing portions of its denial of a key Clean Water Act 404 permit for the Pebble project. This week the Corps announced that its decision makers could not issue Pebble a permit since the EPA has already … Continued

27

March 2024

EPA began 404(c) process to protect Bristol Bay aquatic resources ten years ago

General Post

Ten years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced its intent to initiate a process under the Clean Water Act Section 404(c) to restrict discharge of dredged or fill material associated with mining activity at the Pebble deposit. The 404(c) process gives the EPA “veto authority” on projects that are considered to have unacceptable adverse … Continued

27

March 2024

Northern Dynasty Minerals and State of Alaska sue over federal protections at Pebble deposit site

General Post

In March 2024, both Northern Dynasty Minerals (NDM, owner of Pebble Limited Partnership) and the State of Alaska brought lawsuits against the federal government related to its 2023 decision to establish prohibitions/restrictions on certain mining activity near the Pebble mine deposit. Overturning EPA’s Final Determination NDM’s priority case, filed in Federal District Court in Alaska, … Continued

24

January 2024

Convertible Notes and Private Placement fund Northern Dynasty Minerals efforts for now

General Post

As Pebble Watch reported in November, Northern Dynasty Minerals (NDM) – the sole owner of the Pebble Limited Partnership – is in continuous search for investors to help it advance the Pebble project. Several financing methods have been employed in the years since major partner Anglo American pulled out of the project. In December 2023 … Continued

24

January 2024

Supreme Court won’t fast-track Pebble question

General Post

State of Alaska and Northern Dynasty Minerals to fight EPA in federal district court On January 8, the Supreme Court indicated that it wouldn’t hear the State of Alaska’s bill of complaint challenging the Environmental Protection Agency’s exercise of its Clean Water Act, Section 404(c) authority related to the Pebble project. The state’s request had … Continued

1

December 2023

U.S. Army Corps in holding pattern on Pebble

General Post

Agency to wait for Supreme Court action on State of Alaska complaint The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Alaska District obtained another extension on its deadline to develop a plan for how it will review portions of its denial of a key Clean Water Act 404 permit. After that November 2020 denial, the Pebble … Continued

1

December 2023

Northern Dynasty Minerals continues to face financial challenges

General Post

It’s been ten years since Anglo American withdrew from its 50/50 partnership in the Pebble project. Rio Tinto divested its 19% stake shortly thereafter. Since then, Northern Dynasty Minerals (NDM) has pursued a series of bought deals and private placements to raise cash to keep the project going. But money is tight and expenses continue … Continued

6

October 2023

Army Corps again pushes back date for determining how it will respond to Pebble appeal review

General Post

In April 2024 the Alaska District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) was given a unique task: look over portions of its November 2020 denial of a Clean Water Act 404 permit that effectively stopped development of the Pebble prospect in Bristol Bay. Pebble developers had appealed that decision to the Pacific Ocean … Continued