Pebble Watch News Roundup: February 7, 2017

Developers of the proposed Pebble mine predict favorable outcomes in their litigation with the EPA, and anticipate beginning the permitting process in 2017. Meanwhile, approval of a State of Alaska Miscellaneous Land Use Permit (MLUP) needed for activity at the site has been delayed, and state legislation has been filed to require additional legislative approval during the permitting process.

“Mining News: Pebble Stars Align” Petroleum News, February 3, 2017

Shane Lasley reports on the Pebble project, its outlook under the new Trump administration, potential resolution with EPA, efforts to find new investors and move into a permitting stage.

“Legislation filed to require commissioner consensus on Pebble,” Juneau Empire, February 1, 2017

House Bill 14, introduced by Rep. Andy Josephson, D-Anchorage, aims at strengthening Ballot Measure 4, the “Bristol Bay Forever” initiative that requires legislative approval of large-scale metallic sulfide mines in the Bristol Bay Fisheries Reserve. Josephson’s bill, which requires legislative approval at each step of the permitting process, got its first hearing this week.

“Research matters: Pebble mine site jobs 2009-2012” Alaska Business Monthly, January 30, 2017

A report by the University of Alaska Institute for Social and Economic Research (ISER) by Bob Loeffler and Jennifer Schmidt takes a look at jobs and income associated with the Pebble project that Bristol Bay communities received between 2009-2012.

“Bristol Bay and Beyond,” KDLG Radio, Dillingham, January 27, 2017

KDLG’s Dave Bendinger interviews Pebble Limited Partnership CEO Tom Collier about plans for the project, as well as local leaders Kim Williams and Robin Samuelsen. The 15-minute Pebble story appears at 6 minutes, 35 seconds.

“Northern Dynasty Announces Closing Of US$37.444 Million Bought Deal Offering,” Northern Dynasty Minerals press release, January 26, 2017

Northern Dynasty Minerals, which owns 100% of the Pebble Limited Partnership, raised $37 million last week by selling 20.24 million shares of its stock. The proceeds will go toward its ongoing litigation with EPA, further environmental and engineering studies, outreach, general corporate purposes and working capital requirements.

“State Delays Renewal of Pebble Land Use Permit,” Alaskapublic.org, December 28, 2016

The Alaska State Department of Natural Resources is delaying renewal of a miscellaneous land-use permit (MLUP) because it wants to give staff more time to review “the breadth and scope of the complex issues raised” in a number of “substantive comments” it received during a public comment period in November.

In Opinion:

“Where will Northern Dynasty Minerals be in 10 Years?” by Maxx Chatsko, The Motley Fool, February 1, 2017

“Pebble project deserves fair review, assessment,” by Tom Collier, Alaska Dispatch News, January 24, 2017

“Pebble mine is still the wrong mine in the wrong place,” by Brian Kraft, Alaska Dispatch News, January 24, 2017