Overview
Public understanding and support plays an important part in the successful development of a new mine. To gain this support, mining companies must earn a social license to operate, a process that can only happen over time through respectful consultation with a broad range of stakeholders - including local communities.
The Pebble Partnership has conducted more than 1,000 stakeholder meetings since 2004, and has visited dozens of communities in the Bristol Bay region as part of its ongoing outreach program. There were 37 Stakeholder tours to the Pebble Project in 2007, and a similar number planned for 2008. The Pebble Partnership also hosted a tour of Bristol Bay stakeholders to the Gibraltar and Highland Valley copper mines in neighboring British Columbia, and will continue these tours in 2008.
Recently, the Pebble team hired three Community Associates to facilitate and encourage two-way dialogue between The Pebble Partnership and regional communities surrounding the Pebble Project.
To view a listing of the Community Associates and a map of their territories click here.
In February of 2008, the Keystone Center – an independent, non-profit organization specializing in facilitating public discourse about contentious environmental and scientific issues agreed to work with the Pebble Partnership to assess options for fostering a productive and collaborative stakeholder dialogue about the Pebble Project.
The proposed development plan for the Pebble Project will be subject to a review by state and federal government agencies, the local borough, nearby communities and the citizens of Alaska. This review process is expected to begin in 2009, after The Pebble Partnership submits its mine development proposal and applies for more than 65 state and federal permits that will be required to construct and operate the mine.
The review and permitting process could take three or more years to complete. This lengthy timeline ensures that there will be plenty of opportunities for local residents and other project stakeholders to participate in the process. The Pebble Partnership will distribute various publications and update this website on an ongoing basis to keep the public informed about all aspects of the project.
Click here for a list of communities The Pebble Partnership has visited to date.
