FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where is the Pebble Project located?
2. Why is the Pebble Prospect important?
3. What mineral resources are contained at the Pebble prospect?
4. What is the stage of development currently for the Pebble Project?
5. What will the permitting process for the Pebble Project entail?
6. What are some examples of long-term economic benefits Pebble will provide Southwest Alaska?
7. What studies are being conducted in support of the Pebble Project?
8. How will the Pebble Partnership ensure that Alaska residents have a say in the development of the project?
9. Are there successful examples of environmentally sound mines in Alaska?
10. What is the Pebble Fund?
11. Who is the Pebble Partnership?

1.  Where is the Pebble Project located?

The Pebble prospect is located 200 miles Southwest of Anchorage, Alaska, and roughly 120 miles from Bristol Bay.  The latter is roughly the equivalent between Anchorage and Homer, Alaska. The nearest communities are Illiamna/Newhalen and Nondalton. 

2.  Why is the Pebble Prospect important?

The Pebble Prospect is one of the most significant discoveries in North America of copper, molybdenum and gold.  Copper and molybdenum are essential minerals in modern-day life, providing necessary elements for industrial machinery, construction, automotive parts,  and  more, as well as leading the path toward energy efficient "green" technologies.

• 80.6 billion lbs. of copper
• 5.6 billion lbs. of molybdenum
• 107.4 million oz. of gold
• Commercially significant amounts of silver, rhenium and palladium

3.  What is the breakdown of mineral resources at the Pebble prospect?

The Pebble prospect, though poly-metallic, is principally a copper deposit, with copper representing approximately 95 percent of recoverable metal by volume and 60 percent by value.

The Pebble mineral resource totals 5.94 billion tonnes measured and indicated, and 4.84 billion tonnes inferred. The deposit contains an estimated 80.6 billion pounds of copper, 5.6 billion pounds of molybdenum and 107.4 million ounces of gold.  The Western portion of the deposit lies near the surface and may be amenable to open pit mining.  The deeper but higher grade Eastern portion may have the potential for underground bulk mining methods, including block caving.

4.  What is the stage of development currently for the Pebble Project?

Pebble is currently at a pre-permitting, advanced exploration phase.  The Pebble Partnership does not expect to finalize a preliminary development plan and apply for permits until late 2012 or 2013.  Any proposed mine plan will be subject to an exhaustive, multi-year regulatory review process involving 12 state and federal agencies, and an extensive public comment period.

5.  What will the permitting process for the Pebble Project entail?

The Pebble Partnership must provide the required information for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  The EIS will provide the basis for the Partnership to obtain the more than 67 state and federal mining permits.  The review and permitting process for Pebble is expected to take three or more years to complete and will provide multiple opportunities for public input. 

6.  What are some examples of long-term economic benefits Pebble will provide Southwest Alaska?

Upon development, the Pebble Project is expected to create significant economic benefits for both Alaska and the Bristol Bay Region, including:

• A multi-billion capital investment
• 1,000 high-skill, high-wage operating jobs for 25 - 35 years
• Roughly 2,000 jobs during construction
• Hundreds of millions of dollars in annual operating expenditures
• Local and state taxes to help support public infrastructure and other services in the region
• Supply and service contracts with spin-off benefits for local communities

7.  What studies are being conducted in support of the Pebble Project?

Since 2001, the Pebble Partnership has conducted rigorous technical, environmental and social-economic studies - some of the most extensive grouping of environmental data in the state's history.  These studies have been undertaken by more than 50 outside consulting firms and more than 500 independent scientists and technicians from across the globe.

Data collected from ongoing socio-environmental studies will help guide project design and inform permit applications, ensuring that the proposed mine can operate safely, while preserving important environmental values and traditional ways of life.

8.  How will the Pebble Partnership ensure Alaska residents have a say in the development of the project?

The Pebble Partnership conducts stakeholder meetings and will continue its extensive community outreach programs in 2012 and beyond.  These events provide important public input for project planning and help the company identify issues of concern, such as protecting fisheries and subsistence resources, one of many common objectives..

In 2008, the Pebble Partnership retained the Keystone Center, an independent, non-profit organization specializing in facilitating public discourse about complex environmental and scientific issues.  Keystone Center will help design substantive stakeholder dialogue processes in the future.

9.  Are there successful examples of environmentally sound mines in Alaska?

Yes.  The State of Alaska is home to several mines that set the bar of excellence for environmental stewardship.  These include Red Dog, Ft. Knox, Usibelli, Donlin Creek, Greens Creek , Kensington and Pogo Mine.

10.  What is the Pebble Fund?

The Pebble Partnership established the Pebble Fund as an independent regional resource.  The five year, $5 million endowment supports a broad range of community-led initiatives that enhance the health of Bristol Bay fisheries and contribute to a sustainable future in the region.  Through 2009 year-end, the Pebble Fund distributed $1.6 million in funding to various projects that build community.infrastructure.

11.  Who is the Pebble Partnership? 

Formed in 2007, the Pebble Partnership is a U.S. registered company based in Anchorage, Alaska.  It is a 50-50 partnership between global mining company Anglo-American plc and Northern Dynasty Minerals Limited of Canada.