Pebble says it will replace First Quantum Minerals for mine

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. and First Quantum Minerals Ltd. terminated an agreement under which First Quantum would have become a partner in Northern Dynasty’s large Pebble copper/gold project southwest of Anchorage. Northern Dynasty First Quantum were unable to reach agreement on the option and partnership transaction contemplated in the December 15, 2017 framework agreement between the parties. Opponents to the mine were quick to celebrate: “Today is a victory for Bristol Bay’s Tribes,” said Robert Heyano, Board President of the United Tribes of Bristol Bay. “Quyana (thank you) to First Quantum for listening to reason and divesting from this toxic project.”

Pebble’s owners are taking this in stride. “I believe we will secure the necessary funding to continue the permitting and review process for Pebble under the National Environmental Policy Act. This will result in an Environmental Impact Statement for Pebble,” Pebble Partnership president Tom Collier said. “Pebble remains one of the nation’s most important undeveloped mineral resources. It is on state land and is an important economic asset for Alaska. Our project is well de ned and we are going to continue communi- cating with Alaskans about why we believe in the opportunity it represents.”

The company has led applications for federal permits with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build the mine and is in the early stages of preparing a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the project. Pebble has also planned additional drilling at the site this summer. First Quantum was not available to comment on the reason for its decision.

Pebble is a large, undeveloped accumulation of copper, gold and molybdenum near Lake Iliamna south- west of Anchorage. While the resource, which is con rmed by drilling, is very large, the project has been dogged by controversy and opposition from Alaska Native groups in the region because of the proximity of the proposed mine to sensitive salmon streams. In recent years two major mining companies that took a stake in Pebble, Rio Tinto and Anglo American, exited the project. Over $700 million has been invested in the project over the years in exploration, environmental monitoring and engineering.

Eielson’s Air Force expansion: Fairbanks wants guarantee on housing

Fairbanks community leaders were pleased to hear Sen. Lisa Murkowski extract a verbal committment from Air Force of cials during hearings that they will not build new government housing on Eielson Air Force Base, and instead leave it to the local community and the private sector to accommodate the expected in ux of new military families. Now local leaders want the Air Force to put this in writing.

The Air Force said previously it doesn’t want to get into the housing business for incoming personnel and families arriving with the two new F-35 interceptor squadrons, but Fairbanks is worried that without more de nitive statements in writing large investors will be wary of puttting money into major housing development. About 900 homes are needed, although some of this can be accomodated within Fairbanks’ existing housing stock.