Pebble Mine
Undeveloped copper-gold-molybdenum mineral deposit in Alaska, United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Pebble Mine is the common name of a proposed copper-gold-molybdenum mining project in the Bristol Bay region of Southwest Alaska, near Lake Iliamna and Lake Clark.[1] It was discovered in 1987, optioned by Northern Dynasty Minerals in 2001, explored in 2002, and drilled from 2002-2013 with discovery in 2005. Preparing for the permitting process began and administrative review lasted over 13 years.
Location | |
---|---|
State | Alaska |
Country | United States |
Coordinates | 59°53′50″N 155°17′43″W |
History | |
Discovered | 1988 |
Owner | |
Company | Northern Dynasty Minerals |
Website | Pebble project webpage |
Year of acquisition | 2001 |
As of November 2020 the mine developer, Northern Dynasty Minerals, still sought federal permits from the United States Coast Guard[2] and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement. State permitting would then follow, which the developer expected to take up to three years.[3] In November 2020, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) denied a permit for the proposed mine discharge plan.[4][5]
On September 9, 2021, it was reported that the United States Environmental Protection Agency had "asked a federal court to allow for Clean Water Act protections for parts of the bay."[6] On January 31, 2023, the EPA effectively vetoed the project, using a rarely invoked power to restrict development to protect watersheds.[7]