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The Pebble Blog

The gigantic Pebble copper and gold prospect in Southwest Alaska is one of the touchiest topics in Alaska today.

In this blog, I'll track news that is significant or interesting about the Pebble project. I'll also try to generate discussion and information sharing about some of the claims and counterclaims about the project, and mining in general.

Please keep your comments courteous and on topic. If you violate the ADN comment policy, your posts will be deleted.

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About Elizabeth Bluemink ebluemink@adn.com

I've been writing about mining in Alaska since 2004 and without a doubt, it is one of the most interesting topics that I cover at the Daily News. I've been a newspaper reporter for the past 10 years. In the Deep South, I specialized in reporting about environmental conflicts and pollution cleanups. For two years, I covered commercial fishing, mining and logging in Southeast Alaska. In my current job as a Daily News business reporter, I write about mining, tourism, Native corporations and other businesses.

Pebble hires a permit manager

Posted by pebble_blog

Posted: April 28, 2008 - 5:31 pm

Here's an anouncement today from the Pebble Partnership about a key job that has been filled in its Anchorage office.

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Charlotte MacCay Joins Pebble Partnership as Manager, Permitting Affairs

Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively is pleased to announce that longtime Alaska mining professional Charlotte MacCay has joined the company as Manager, Permitting Affairs. In her new role, Ms. MacCay will work closely with Dr. Michael Smith, the Partnership's NEPA & Permitting Manager, and will be responsible for directing the development and submission of all necessary permit applications for the Pebble Project, as well as for coordinating the Pebble Project Team and state/federal agency engagement.

Ms. MacCay has 20 years of experience in large-scale environmental management specializing in natural resource development, with a focus on permit acquisition; baseline studies development and oversight; terrestrial, freshwater, marine and air quality monitoring; and compliance management. She earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies, Ecosystems Management and Assessment from Western Washington University.

As well as working as the senior regulatory and permitting manager at Bristol Environmental and Engineering Services Corporation, Ms. MacCay previously managed a rigorous baseline studies and permitting program at Alaska Gold's Rock Creek Mine, and worked as the Senior Administrator of Environmental and Regulatory Affairs at Red Dog Mine.

The Pebble Partnership is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to applying the most advanced science and modern mining practices to the development of the Pebble Project. Pebble has the potential to become a world-class copper mine benefitting all Alaskans, while helping to build sustainable communities today and for future generations.

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2 April 29, 2008 - 10:45am | PuckFebble

Congrats

A sincere congratulations to Ms. MacCay on her new position. I also caution the Partnership that this is noted and would strongly encourage them to be consistent in thier actions. When in thier presentation they tout Red Dog, and they hire a few executives from that project. Then they put out a compass piece saying it isnt fair to compare.
This is begining to remind me of the same process AA has told the people surrounding thier mines in Africa.
I hope she and Mr Shivley are proud to work for a company that has exploited Africa and South America.
The safety, enviromental track record and human rights history that Anglo has shown in Africa esepcially makes it very tough to take the partnership at face value.
This is simply a recycling of the same old bad actors and broken promises.

1 April 28, 2008 - 9:25pm | knittininak

Good Move

Another sensible and responsible decision made by Pebble and John Shively.

April 28, 2008 - 9:53pm | Sockeyemark

I thought there wasn't even a plan

Pebble has more potential to do harm than anything else
They can hire all the so called experts they want it won't
hide the fact this mine will distroy a watershed.

May 5, 2008 - 8:17pm | njalo99

experts

NDM is willing to employ the best of their field to make sure nothing unforseen happens to the precious salmon of B.B. Why can't you for just a min take a look at the benefits this mine will produce........ 1,000 employees for over 80 years, with an ave wage of better than 75k a year???? doesn't sound that bad to me.......

April 28, 2008 - 10:33pm | knittininak

Is this so hard to understand?

There are many facets and steps taken and studied prior to a business opening its doors. Pebble is no different. Currently they appear to be gathering geological data, addressing environmental concerns, deciding the economic feasibility to mine, then and only then they will submit their permitting to the State (as a hunch Pebble is probably considering over twenty different plans right now). Charlotte will be a key component during this process and yes, she's an expert. Is this so hard to understand? I think the plan they bring forward will address environmental concerns, and I believe your statement of destroying the watershed is an over-exaggeration.

May 5, 2008 - 8:23pm | njalo99

the watershed

considering the mine will only be close to one of the 5 rivers leading to B.B. I think even a major problem at the mine would be insignificant to the salmon of B.B.

May 5, 2008 - 8:49pm | PuckFebble

nevermind the Nushagak residents

Bah, forget the largest poppulated drainage in the bay. Half the human poppulation lives on the river that is most threatened.

April 29, 2008 - 11:03am | PuckFebble

A little empathy

I am not sure where you live. But I would encourage you to take a minute and look at this project from the point of view of a resident of the Nushagak River. Where I live, my community would not exist without that river. The salmon runs, the hunting opportunities, and the abundance of clean water. Then at the very headwater will be apparently the largest pit mine in North America.
With a massive tailings impoundment system, right at the top of the headwaters. Ask any salmon biologist and they will tell you water quantity is as important as water quality. Now there is also the fact that in Romania in 2000 at Baia Mare mine similar in design to what Pebble is supposed to be at this point. A put mine with cyanide leaching. Well thier tailings embankment spilled over and devastated a watershed there. Did you know that the firm that has done at least the preliminary plan for the tailings at Pebble was also the same company
(knight-piesold) that engineered the failed dam there that resulted in total devastation.
I dont think our concerns are ungrounded. In fact they are firmly grounded into not so long ago past catastrophies.
Pebble has made all sorts of claims, especially ones that are a large stretch. Moreso that what you seem to attack SockeyeMark over. They wont hurt the fish, and they wont pollute the water. Well there isnt a pit mine in the world that has been able to keep this promise.
And I dont think it wise to use the headwaters of the Koktuli and Tularik Creeks as the guinea pig for this. Show us somewhere else you havent polluted and come try again.

April 29, 2008 - 5:12pm | CingRed

Little Empathy?

This from a guy with a handle of PUCKFEBBLE. I see your a person who asks for respect but offers none in return...nice.

April 30, 2008 - 12:02am | Sockeyemark

Great handle, wish I would have thought of it

Cingred being from the mining side of life should have a handle of "PuckFish" ,

Alaskans against the Fishing Shutdown

April 30, 2008 - 12:59pm | CingRed

PFish or PFebble handle...

I think it's rather crass and sophomoric. Kinda reminds me of the Calvin peeing on things and naked lady stickers people are putting on their back of their truck windows. Those people think it's a joke and cute too...I suppose it gets peoples attention as well...I guess it's a sign of the times: If you don't agree with someones point of view it's acceptable to do say and do anything.

April 29, 2008 - 5:50pm | PuckFebble

When?

Tell me Cingred, when have I been disrespectful to you or anyone on here? Read the post I replied to you from a few days ago. In the other entry. I think you would be quite hard pressed to say I was ever disrespectful.
The name is a joke. But apparently lost on you. No worries though, it certainly raises attention doesnt it? I think I will keep it for now. Have a nice day, and post away, I encourage the discussion.

April 30, 2008 - 11:07pm | pmjusa

Oh!!! It's a joke!!!

I guess that explains why I can't find much humor in the funnies these days. If you need to poke people in the eye, I'm wondering if there's another forum where you can do that and they'll laugh. Good luck.

Your screen-name reflects a transparent refusal to entertain a respectable consideration of ideas other than your own. And that doesn't even include consideration of the empirical evidence - information about the actual Pebble prospect. I am frankly surprised that the moderator allows this. You claim to want clean water, but are willing to poison the well of mutual respect - then YOU encourage dialogue. Get real. At least your intransigence/crassness are a good fit and revealing of the nature of some Pebble opponents.

May 5, 2008 - 8:26pm | njalo99

...

well said pmjusa

April 30, 2008 - 11:07pm | PuckFebble

Would it matter?

If my name was something different? I doubt it. You have come onto the blogs made a few posts, a few paragraphs in length of useless attacks against people who apparently disagree with your position. As for the moderators, I have never had a post flagged, I dont use obscene language and certainly never attack people, especially fellow posters. So the innuendo you make with my name, is only yours.
I would encourage you to reply to the posts I have made concerning the issues that actually surround pebble and dont waste your time or mine in further attacks. Have a nice day.

May 1, 2008 - 12:57am | pmjusa

Thank you, I will have a nice day.

And I'm happy for you and encourage you to let your screen-name continue to substantiate your comments.

April 29, 2008 - 12:16am | pmjusa

Sock's the King of Hyperbole

But he's not just exaggerating. His "facts" are intentionally misleading and meant to evoke an emotional, not considered response. The anti-pebble crowd's arguments are almost entirely hung on disparaging inferences like this "destroy a watershed" canard. This is meant to generate fear, and people in fear don't behave logically.

The fact is that many already have their minds made up. Who cares if all the facts are not on the table yet. That's why they've put forward these "clean water" initiatives that set the bar so high for a mining company. Any discharge from a mine under the new initiatives would have to be far beyond what we now consider to be safe to drink. I call them H2Only initiatives. The rich lodge owners already have theirs, H2Only init's is what can keep others away. Again, it's not about clean water, or the fish, or the subsistence lifestyle. It's all about generating a perception of threat for these anti-pebble manipulators. Despite all that, it's good to see that Pebble is moving on with hiring expert permitting personnel.

April 29, 2008 - 7:49am | Sockeyemark

How can the worlds largest open pit mine

In sulfur bearing rock not affect the area's watershed.
The expert permitting personnel are just that, experts at getting the permits they want. Gloss over the facts to get the ok to go ahead.
All the initiatives do is make them operate the way they've been making claims they'll operate.
Right now if you go to the Bristol Bay area you don't think twice about dipping a cup of water out of the Kvichak or Nushagak river to drink,,,,you will if Pebble Mine is put in place.

Alaskans Against the Fishing ShutDown!!!!

May 5, 2008 - 8:31pm | njalo99

you keep saying the same thing Sockeye

just out of curiousity how do YOU know this will be The world's Largest open pit mine???? Are you at the planning meetings??? do you have some inside info that We don't??? Please enlighten us on how You KNOW this will be The World's Largest Open pit Mine???? considering for the 1,000 th time it's been pointed out to you there is not a Mining plan YET. They are still Planning , if, when, and How to mine this geological body.... like I said just curious

May 5, 2008 - 11:48pm | Sockeyemark

Guess you've never looked at the map where the boundaries..

of the ore from their core drilling program. Then Liberty Star has purchased all the land around that footprint. Like my previous post, it's all about volume. From the Nikabuna lakes south, the whole area is filled with ore. They'll start out small just to appease everyone to start with. But it will grow as large as they can get away with.
At the end of the day it's all about moving as much ground as possible. The ore is there, everyone knows it.
Just how much salmon, land and water will be compromised......mining folks say very little......fisherman/residents of AK say lots.....
Just how all this pans out (ha Ha) we'll see.
We'll either be Singing Red or Pucking Febble

May 1, 2008 - 1:05am | pmjusa

How can you say that?

At this point it would take longer than Pebble's projected mine life to just catch up with the world's largest open pit mine. It it o.k. to mislead people by saying this would be the world's largest open pit mine?
Sure, it's low content sulfur bearing rock, approx. 2% unlike Red Dog's high sulfide mineralizations of approx. 25-50%. Yet Red Dog clearly has healthy fish populations downstream. And we aren't an eastern bloc country with lax mine oversight. I've had countless opportunities, but I personally wouldn't dip a cup into the Nush, the Wok, the Wood, or even Tularik Creek. Not unless I wanted to risk Beaver fever.

May 2, 2008 - 6:25pm | mbowers

World Record fish in Wulik River

I came to this thread late... but, I can tell you for a fact, the fish in the Red Dog drainage are not "poisoned". I used to work there, and installed remote monitoring stations for water quality. While I was working there, the world record Dolly Varden was taken in the river that Red Dog Creek drains into, the Wulik.

I have watched bear fish downstream, almost within sight of the mine ( they would have fished right up *in* the mine if not for the fish weir, I am guessing)

I personally think the whole anti-pebble movement is nothing but a case of NIMBY by a rich lodge owner, since I know other lodge owners on Iliamna who are all for it.

May 2, 2008 - 6:39pm | PuckFebble

How about the haul road?

How far does one need to go off the road before there is healthy vegetation? I have heard several different answers, but since you used to work there maybe you can tell me for sure.
Also, there is much more than a rich lodge owner who oppose this project. More like the vast majority of the Nushagak drainage residents, and upwards of %60 in the Iliamna region itself are principally against this project. Id like to know which other lodge owners in the region are "all for it"?
Also, if you could, give us an example of a mine anywhere in the world of the open pit, cyanide leaching type that has not polluted ground or surface water. Nobody has been able to answer me that one yet. Including reps from NDM and AA. So if you know more than the rest of us please do tell.
Thanks and Have a nice day.

May 1, 2008 - 11:27pm | Sockeyemark

The only way to make mining work is large volumes

when extracting resources from remote places like Alaska the only way to make it pay is large volumes. That's why Prudhoe Bay was developed, Red Dog, Fort Knox, large volumes. And with boundary of Pebble ever growing, it will be the largest open pit mine.
But facts like these will be glossed over, just like your 2% sulfur figure. You pile a bunch of 2% rock in a tailings reservoir and soon you'll have a nice batch of sulfuric acid.
Pebble is going to screw up a huge chunk of realestate ,dry up and remove salmon producing rivers and lakes and mess up a vital watershed for the Kvichak and Nushagak rivers systems and your going to tell Alaskans.....what?
Don't worry we've got technology that will take care of all that, never happen, it's not going to be that bad, we'll reclamate streams we screw up and hey we've got lots of money to throw around so you'll believe us!!
Believe me, your not going to get one shovel of dirt out of Bristol Bay!!
Alaskans Against the Fishing Shutdown!

May 5, 2008 - 8:36pm | njalo99

apple's and oranges Mark

Prudhoe is actually an oil field, fort knoxx is gold extractment, apples and oranges

May 10, 2008 - 12:29am | Sockeyemark

VOLUMES, be it either cubic yards,barrels oil or cubic feet gas

IT"S ALL ABOUT VOLUMES, has to be large quantities to make it pay in Alaska because of remoteness. Be it Prudoe,Pt Tompson,Pebble,Red Dog or Bristol Bay.
VOLUME

May 10, 2008 - 11:40am | rfn

You're absolutely right!

When it's all shut down.

No more petroleum.

No more copper.

No more iron.

No more zinc.

No more coal.

No more gold.

Then we can just print funny money and buy it all from a developing nation.

So long as they can be fooled into accepting the funny money. So far they're not showing any signs of refusing it!

Oh....I forgot about the vegetarians!

Yeah,

No more fishing, either.

After all, fish got feelings!

May 12, 2008 - 11:46pm | Sockeyemark

We'll be supplying the world with Fresh Bristol Bay Sockeye

and toxin free I might add, as long as Pebble never produces a cubic yard

May 2, 2008 - 12:47am | pmjusa

Dirt from Bristol Bay?

Focus, Mark. Why would I want any? Can we keep this conversation about the actual Pebble prospect? There is no limiting the "issues around Pebble," that could lead anywhere, so let's just get a grip and think about these challenges you've been worrying about one by one with some sense of perspective. More later...

May 2, 2008 - 1:56am | Sockeyemark

Oh I'm CLEARLY focused alright

YES on clean water initiatives
NO on Pebble Mine

and there won't be More later...

May 2, 2008 - 1:59pm | pmjusa

Stay one-sided.

It will be intuitively apparent to Alaskans there is more to these "clean water" mining shutdown initiatives than what you present.
Everyone interested in this issue should get copies of the initiatives, read them, and pass them out to others. That is, if you are concerned about the future of economic and eco-friendly development continuing in our great state.

May 2, 2008 - 3:00pm | Sockeyemark

People have come to Alaska to get away from the Lower 48

And in the lower 48 they have dried up the Colorado River so that it never makes the sea, they have ruined the salmons runs on the west coast. Water systems in cities across the US are becoming fouled.
Alaska is abundant with many things, clean water and fish are two that we Alaskans hold dearly. Unless Pebble can come in and do it without screwing up our water or fish???.....as much as Alaskans like to see jobs they won't sacrifice the water or fish.....that will be the deciding factor when they head to the voting both to Vote YES on the clean water initiatives!!!
Alaskans Against the Fishing ShutDown!

May 2, 2008 - 5:15pm | CingRed

Hey Sock...

Mining has been around longer than both commericial and private-lodge fishing and guess what...they're still both around. The waters clean and fishing is great. Amazing huh!

On a different, but related analogy (I'm sure you can relate to)...Now if we can kill off a few of those pesky wolves...but wait, people have come to Alaska to get away form the Lower 48, because where they came from they killed off all them their wolves too.

tongue in cheek mode ON
TAKE A STAND, Alaskans against the mining shutdown!
tongue in cheek mode OFF

May 3, 2008 - 12:56am | Sockeyemark

Don't think there are any lodges in the near vicinity

of any mine in Alaska! And yes they are hunting wolves again in Minnesota ( need to shoot a few up here, save that for a different blog )
Just because mining has been around longer doesn't mean they get to keep on doing it poorly.
Lets do it right this time, even if it cost a little extra for the mining companies. If they clean up their act they just might stay around longer than everyone!!!

Nobody is shutting down mining, just cleaning their operation up.

May 5, 2008 - 8:41pm | njalo99

wrong

just for your info the locals and tourist s actually fly to Admiralty Island to view and hunt bears. Where it just so happens to be the Greens Creek Mine....... once under Kennecott ( Rio Tinto) but just recently sold to Hecla Mining. There are no lodges but I hunt deer and Bear here on the island.

May 3, 2008 - 5:04am | CingRed

No!?

Probably not, can you imagine someone coming half way around the world to fish next to mine...eecckkk! How scary. But, I relatively certain of this, just about every major salmon river or it's tributaries in Alaska has at one time or another been mined before. So if it's been done so poorly before (mind you this is archaic mining technology) why is their any salmon at all?

Are they really shooting wolves in MN? Do they prefer land and shoot or shooting em' from their planes?

May 3, 2008 - 6:12am | Sockeyemark

I prefer planes, much more efficient

I personally gathered over 300 signatures for the CWI and I'll have to say.....you can whine all you want but Alaskan's really don't want Pebble Mine. And they don't want you messing around with their fish and water.
Most of them came to me to put their signature on the intitiative,,,,,specially after they heard that the mining industry doesn't pay squat to the state for what.....tearing up the countryside and leaving a mess behind.
Do it right or pack up and GO HOME........

May 2, 2008 - 6:43pm | PuckFebble

Just curious

If you can tell me which part of the cleanwater initiatives will shut down mining? I see this claim quite a bit. I have read thoroughly the CWI. I dont see anything in there that categorically shuts down mining. It only puts into law the claims they already are making. We dont put anything in the water that will hurt humans or salmon. Thats all anyone is asking.
But then again, the mining industry as fought tooth and nail every additional regulation on the mining industry since 1872. Always threatening a mining shutdown. It doesnt shut down mining, it makes it slightly less profitable.

May 2, 2008 - 8:58pm | CingRed

Okay...

DNR's Director Of Mining, Land And Water Richard Mylius: "Mining Will Be Impossible" Under Initiative. "The third prohibition in 07WATR prohibits the storage or disposal of metallic mineral mining wastes and tailings . . . .' All large scale metallic mineral mines have wastes and tailings. ... Such wastes and tailings must be disposed of or stored in land or water. If land and water may not be used to store or dispose of wastes and tailings that generate chemicals, mining will be impossible." (Richard Mylius, Deposition In The Superior Court For The State Of Alaska Third Judicial District At Dillingham, 8/28/07, p. 2-3)

It sounds like more than just a slight profit loss.

May 2, 2008 - 10:21pm | PuckFebble

Straight from the horses mouth

Ah, but of course you realise that is not the CWI we will likely be voting on. But again, read it for yourself. Dont copy and paste from an industry advocacy site.
So again, can you find something in the iniative that would lead you to believe that mining will be shut down?

What Mr. Mylius doesnt mention is that the wastes specifically mentioned are sulphiric acid and or cyanide.
If them not being able to contain those poisons is a holdup to mining, then so be it. They will likely figure out a way to mitigate those poisons. And if they cant, it is even more reason not to allow this mine.

Remember what the cruise industry was saying when the iniative targeting them was up for election and how much they said this was going to kill tourism in Alaska.
Guess what happened yesterday?
A cruise ship showed up in Juneau. Followed by more today, and tomorrow, and every day until the season is over.

May 5, 2008 - 12:19am | CingRed

To continue...

The text was taken directly from the affidavit from Mr. Mylius who was under oath (26 veteran under the State Dept of Natural Resources).

The quote solidifies Mining Shut Down perfectly because the plaintiff did not dispute the following AK State Supreme judges statement "it would seem difficult to dispute Mr. Mylius statement that all large scale mining generate tailings, and his ultimate conclusion appears virtually unassailable, assuming present day technology". Which is A MINING SHUT DOWN.

This unbiased statement was not from the mining industry, again NOT even disputed by the plaintiff, but came directly from the horses mouth-AK Supreme Court Judge Fred Torrisi.

I wonder if a State Supreme Court Judge concluded that cruise tax was going to kill the industry? I bet not, your example was weak.

May 5, 2008 - 6:04am | PuckFebble

Superior Court not Supreme Court

Firstly, I know Torrisi, A. he is not a supreme court justice but a superior court judge. He is not a mining expert and its only convenient for the purpose of this untruthful campaign by a special interest group interested in preventing any future mining regulation, despite having a very lax permitting system when compared to other places in N.America and making record profits.
Remember them claiming the CWI was done in private, behind closed doors, etc etc etc? When in fact a public iniative is the most public process available in Alaska.
So, I guess we will find out on election day what Alaskans want wont we?

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