adn.com | The Pebble Blog : Mining news roundup, Part 1

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.

Mining news roundup, Part 1

Posted by Elizabeth Bluemink

Posted: July 16, 2008 - 4:18 pm

Folks: I've been diverted away from the Pebble Blog for a while so I thought a little catch-up session is in order. A few things have cropped up recently that may hold some interest for folks who follow Pebble.

Tailings disposal in lakes
As many of you already know, the U.S. Supreme Court recently agreed to take up an appeal involving the disposal of tailings from the Kensington Mine. Reversing a lower court decision, the federal 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said the Army Corps of Engineers violated the law when it approved a fill permit allowing the mine to use a subalpine lake as its disposal site. Here's a story about it from the Juneau Empire.

As the Empire story points out:
"It's not just about Kensington," said Cameron Leonard, assistant attorney general for Alaska. "Other prospective mines in Alaska are interested in the decision." He said these would include Alaska's gold deposits at Donlin Creek, owned by Barrick Gold Corp. and NovaGold Resources Inc., and the Pebble Mine, owned by Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

One question the the Empire story didn't fully address is whether the mine's owner - Coeur Alaska - would put off the alternative tailings disposal plan it hashed out with environmentalists after the 9th Circuit ruling. But on July 2, Petroleum News reported that Coeur Alaska plans to continue with that land-based alternative.

Also, a spate of requests from mining companies to dispose of their tailings in lakes recently generated some headlines in Canada. Read about it here and here.

Ballot Measure 4

Here is the summary of the Clean Water Initiative as I'm told it will appear on the election ballot:

BILL PROVIDING FOR REGULATION OF WATER QUALITY

This bill imposes two water quality standards on new large scale metallic mineral mining operations in Alaska. The first standard does not allow such a mining operation to release into water a toxic pollutant that will adversely affect human health or the life cycle of salmon. The second standard does not allow such a mining operation to store mining wastes and tailings that could release sulfuric acid, other acids, dissolved metals or other toxic pollutants that could adversely affect water that is used by humans or by salmon. The bill defines a large scale metallic mineral mining operation to mean a metallic mineral mining operation that is in excess of 640 acres in size. The bill defines toxic pollutants to include substances that will cause death and disease in humans and fish, and includes a list of substances identified as toxic pollutants under federal law.

Should this initiative become law?

The ballot summary's description of the first standard doesn't really spell out the courts' (and the sponsors') interpretation that the initiative refers to discharging a toxic pollutant in a harmful amount. I don't know if that's a big deal or not.

Recent campaign tactics

The TV, print and radio ads are hard to miss, but some colleagues recently have also received direct mail related to Measure 4. One is the two-page "Alaska Mining Survey," published by the Alaskans Against the Mining Shutdown. The survey has 3 questions. Here's one of them:

"Regardless of how you might vote on Measure 4, the anti-mining initiative, what concerns you most?

* The loss of thousands of jobs accross the state.

* The negative impact on Native and rural communities that rely on mining for work, revenue and opportunity.

* The long-term cost of shutting down a growing sector of Alaska's economy.

* The loss of much-needed revenue to state and local governments."

The other mailer, a four-pager from the Alaskans for Clean Water Group, encourages people to vote early in support of Measure 4. In fact, in its mailer, the ballot measure group has provided a 2008 state absentee ballot application. Like one of those credit card applications, your name and mailing address are conveniently filled in.

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4 July 25, 2008 - 6:03pm | NoBob

I found this article on Kensington very informative . . .

http://juneauempire.com/stories/071108/opi_302723419.shtml

3 July 20, 2008 - 10:10pm | Sockeyemark

Just vote Yes on 4#

Let the miners whine about how the sky is falling....

July 24, 2008 - 1:51pm | njalo99

...

then we could stand behind the fisherman in the unemployment line this winter.......

July 26, 2008 - 3:53pm | Sockeyemark

You might try and get a job on a fishing boat

They'll be out catching fish from the pristine waters of Alaska, some of their good fortune might rub off on you also. Then you too will be voting for prop 4# this August

July 26, 2008 - 6:06pm | njalo99

lol

you might catch'em but the processors will shut ya down!! LOLOLOLOLOL

July 26, 2008 - 3:56pm | rfn

Murder for hire?

That is, after all what those being paid to kill salmon are doing!

It HAS to stop if there are going to be fish for future generations.

July 26, 2008 - 4:16pm | Sockeyemark

It pays well, has for many generations too

My crew made more than a miner did for the month of July, put your resume in rfn...I might have an opening next year.

July 26, 2008 - 7:26pm | rfn

Blood money!

Gotten from killing innocent fish.

Snatching food out of the mouths of subsistence fishers who depend on nature's bounty for their very lives.

Please don't tell your children; they would lose respect.

July 26, 2008 - 6:07pm | njalo99

doubt it ther big guy

Average miner in Ak, makes over 100k a year, unless you own a boat whens the last time you've heard of a fisherman making more....thought so but keep trying

July 26, 2008 - 7:43pm | Sockeyemark

Like I said, my crew made more than a miners monthly paycheck

My boat made much more than a miner.....

July 28, 2008 - 9:34pm | njalo99

your BOAT

Of course your Boat did.....but the Crew made pennies on the dollar................................................................................................................................................

July 26, 2008 - 8:13pm | rfn

Ah Ha!

So none of this is about salmon!

It's all "me, me, me"!

The lust for money is the root of evil and we're just beginning to comprehend how evil! An entire crew murdering innocent salmon then fleeing south to escape winter. Do they wash the blood off before they get on the plane?

We're not dealing with a struggling "fisherman" here! Just a money-driven captain.... No wonder the people of Alaska and their need for subsistence fish don't matter! It all about $ $ $.

Why are we not surprised?

July 26, 2008 - 8:10pm | CingRed

Can you finish the rest of the story?

They must have had the best medical insurance and retirement plans in the industry? Paid holidays, vacation, bereavement, and other paid leave. I'm sure you gave them a pretty good severance package too.Did your crew fly south with their earnings? Are they now filing for SUI? Or, did you not even report the wages to DOL? Have they spent their earnings at the Willow Tree Bar? Please do tell me more.

Nevermind, you'll just tell me their getting their law degree at UAA so they can become edjamacated and make a mint off the poorly written and vague ballot measure 4. Smart move because if this ballot passes, it will be a gold mine for lawyers.

Vote No for 4!

July 26, 2008 - 8:51pm | Sockeyemark

One just took an engineering job in Fairbanks

The other is finishing his degree, my sons are making enough to pay for college also. I spend 5 to 7 thousand just to get the boat in the water, goes to the local economy. I pay fish taxes, property taxes boat storage have equipment worked on to the tune of several thousand dollars.
Cannery workers by the hundreds are employed by my processor alone.
And that is just one boat in Bristol Bay, there are over 1600 boats not counting 600 or so set netters in Bristol Bay. All adding to the local economy, it's what makes western coastal Alaska tick.
And you want to put in a mine that just the footprint alone removes salmon producing rivers. Enough salmon that a fishery like Cordova could run on is to be removed by Pebble's footprint. And we haven't even started talking about the collateral damage of leeching tailings dams, copper and sulfuric acid drainage. The lowering of the water table and how it will effect the Nushagak and Kvichak drainages.
Yes your right RFN ( really friggen nuts ) is all about the dollar bill. Can't say your wrong there, but then it's all about the dollar for you too.
I'll just have to say that my business was there first, go find another area to screw up.....NOT MINE ( no pun intended )
FOLKS, SEE THROUGH THE BS vote yes on 4

July 27, 2008 - 10:56am | rfn

I'm immensely sad

to see you reduced to pejoratives though it's clear that's all you have left.

Please, though, if you find pleasure in insults, use the proper "rfn" rather than "RFN" who is someone else entirely. Check the RFN.org website to see for yourself!

Disclaimer: the website mentioned, not linked, is not mine. I offer nothing for sale. Only pointing out the error of the misguided.

July 26, 2008 - 9:54pm | CingRed

Awesome...

I'm glad your kids are getting an excellent education. I hear Pebble is hiring, maybe he can get an excellent paying job with outstanding benefits with the Partnership. In addition, he's experience working there will be valued and ensure things are done right. Maybe he can submit a resume?

The Department of Labor statistics says 87% of the fishing industry are non-residents, you're kids being the minority of course. If you'd like to see the link about this I'd be happy to share with you. I'd say all the hoopla by the fisherman and lodge owners comes from a few rich NIMBYs but that isn't quite accurate, you see technically there backyard isn't really Bristol Bay, they just come up for a couple months take the money and run yeah yeah (kinda like the ole' Steve Miller song). By comparison, the locals in the area aren't so fortunate with attaining higher education and sag way below standards. It's great that you live in Wasilla, work full time at BP, and work a part-time gig as a commercial fisherman. I'm glad oil money allows you to afford all these amenities. The locals really don't have that option do they? Imagine what full time employment or other possibilities of jobs would do in their region other than fishing. Although, do so might cause Gilliam's lodge & property investment to diminish. I tell you what it's all about HIS portfolio...talk about following the money.

I'll finish by saying congratulations to your kids again, I'm happy for you, and to please reconsider the opportunities that Pebble will offer the locals and your son's career. Cheers and vote NO PROPS for 4!

July 26, 2008 - 10:20pm | Sockeyemark

Thanks, my sons have a dream of running their own boat

Some day, heck they may even choose to live in Bristol Bay. The quality of life in the area is very nice, not too much influence from the City folks. It's a quieter lifestyle, not a hectic pace like the bigger towns in Alaska. It's a choice that many make to live in the area.
All the things you talk about are for the urban lifestyle, while some would like that for bush Alaska it may not be what someone in Ekwok would want.
Who knows where my sons will work, might be in the mining business. But I know with their roots in Bristol Bay salmon, Pebble would not be their job of choice.
But if the mine goes in and salmon fishing is no longer a viable business they may be forced to put in a resume...if that happens I'm hoping they could use you for a reference??
Yes, my kids and their kids will have a dream...fishing the waters of Bristol Bay.....but given the track record of large scale mining, it will probably be a dream.
Hopefully their Dad, by standing up for what's right can help to make their dream come true. And I thank people like Bob Gillam for what ever you choose to call their motives, for helping me to see to it my sons and their sons and daughters dreams come true......
Stop the Nightmares,,,,,,vote for what's right on August 26th.....Clean water/ Salmon forever

July 25, 2008 - 4:22pm | rfn

Law we need:

Any individual accepting a job known to be seasonal shall not, upon completion of the work season, be allowed to receive unemployment benefits. Their unemployment is entirely their own fault for having accepted a seasonal position rather than seeking out a permanent one.

July 26, 2008 - 4:26pm | Sockeyemark

Nothings permanent in the mining industry

One low swing in the gold prices and your on a fishing boat in Bristol Bay trying to recoupe your job loss. And besides, after August 26th the mining industry in Alaska is shutting down don't you remember!!

July 26, 2008 - 6:11pm | njalo99

true

but one bad summer in BB and Your Still in the unemployment line......good luck with that......no offense to you Mark, but fishing is hard work, and doesn't pay that well, so You might want to consider Mining...hours are better, pay is better, benefits are better, and you still get to own a boat and fish whenever you want.......LOL....... but it would still be hard work.......LOL

July 26, 2008 - 10:36pm | Sockeyemark

As much as I like making money

It's not always about making money, it's overrated. I've had bad summers in Bristol Bay. But like I said everything has it's cycles. You just hang in there and it will all turn out in the end.
You miners like digging up the world, fishermen like running through the waves.
You all say that both can live in harmony.....fishermen say not.
If you want less fish and a steady job that you apparently don't have to work too hard at then vote yes next month.
There are three in my family who will be voting NO

July 27, 2008 - 12:32am | CingRed

I'm delighted Sockeyemark!

"There are three in my family who will be voting NO" Excellent, I'll quote you on that and put you down for three Nays for Prop 4. My family is voting NO to Prop 4 also- there's three of us too! By the way, what was the deciding factor? Jobs, hiring responsible local Alaskans (your kid would be an excellent candidate), personal growth and challenges, skilled profession, or the excellent quality of life your family will benefit from for high wages. I know money isn't everything, but it does offer you choices...like traveling to overseas, hunting in Africa, fishing for bonefish, so on and so forth.

See I knew their was good in you Darth!

July 27, 2008 - 1:09am | Sockeyemark

I've seen the light

You miners were right all along......I don't want to shut down your business. Start your D-9's and lets get going..I don't want to see another salmon ,,,,ever

July 28, 2008 - 9:32pm | njalo99

lol

you can always find them in Wikipedia.......

July 27, 2008 - 10:48pm | CingRed

Whoa Sockeyemark...

I'm glad you came to the light, but let's not get hasty. I know you're excited to get started and I am too, but we need to work smart before you turn the key to your D-9. You just can't take a D-9 and start-in, that's ridiculous. Did you check with our permitting department to verify we can operate that rig here? What is your position and does it include operating a D-9? Before any of this, we need to study the area and make sure our team of biologists, hydrologists, geologists, and mining engineers have conducted a sound development plan. By sound, I mean it shall not impact the fishing area or the locals in any harmful way. Surely, you can understand this because you fish here the other ten months of the year. We all like to hunt and fish too and want our kids to do so also, therefore, let's think of the environment. You know the north slope and how the oil companies developed oil without impacting wildlife? Let's do what they do but even better! So drop the keys and back away from the D-9, let's do this right. I want you to keep your enthusiasm and positive work ethic, because you're an important member of our team and you care. We value those characteristics. So I want you to remember our mission and vision statement we spoke about when you first stated: Refining minerals while maintaining a harmonious relationship in God's great wilderness. Now let's get back to work doing things smart!

July 28, 2008 - 8:54am | rfn

Wow!

Imagine the howl if anybody out to exploit salmon for personal profit had to jump through corresponding hoops.

Let's see, before each voyage, get a new set of permits. Make a specific plan and submit it in triplicate to each of three agencies. Be certain to include GPS coordinates of the starting point and for each waypoint to the final destination at 1/10 th nautical mile intervals. Except the law can be changed without notice to require waypoints be determined at 1/8 furlong intervals.

Specify the depth, to the nearest millimeter, at which nets will be set or lines lowered. Identify all gear to be used by manufacturer name, model number, serial number and date of manufacture.

Report all discharges to be made at any point during the trip. Maintain a log of all such discharges with photographs of the material prior to being discharged.

Of course any vessel found non-compliant will not be allowed to begin another voyage until sufficient Clean Water Rangers are on board to ensure that there is 24/7 coverage. Three will be sufficient unless a voyage extends into a Saturday or Sunday. In such case the vessel shall return to shore for replacement Clean Water Rangers.

Certainly nothing in that to shut down fishing. Just ensure compliance with rules established to protect the fishery.

Oh, nothing in the above is intended to impose any new requirements on any vessel currently on a voyage. However the new rules come into force before any such vessel departs on a new voyage after having returned. Old permits remain valid and are merely augmented by the new requirements.

Sounds sorta like what's being proposed for mining....but it won't affect any existing boats so long as they remain offshore.

July 27, 2008 - 11:51pm | Sockeyemark

If you can do it without impact to the locals or fishing area

( By sound, I mean it shall not impact the fishing area or the locals in any harmful way. )
Then you have my blessings......this is a huge statement by the way....bigger statement than the mine itself....

July 25, 2008 - 4:40pm | ebluemink

i think you'd find that

your law would impact people working in mineral exploration as well ...

July 25, 2008 - 5:15pm | rfn

I had considered that.

It would have some minor impact but not nearly what some might expect. Relatively small family operations would not be involved. It was also surprising to find that several operations, notably the major project in Nome, had most folks working through the winter. True there are summer hires but many of them return to the lower-48 at the end of the summer (more because they don't want to work in the cold) and some shift back to snow removal jobs in the city.

Besides, I was primarily yanking a chain...only by accident I looked hard enough to see what the impact might really be and I must admit it was surprising.

July 25, 2008 - 11:33am | Sockeyemark

No one is losing their jobs

In fact having a watchdog agency and the whole business of keeping the water clean will add employment.
Vote yes on prop 4#, keep Alaska Clean and Safe

July 25, 2008 - 2:57pm | NoBob

In fact, big gain in jobs--mostly lawyers

Yup, Prop 4 with two misspellings and two punctuation errors in the operative sentence--the word "adversely" (meaning to be determined) added by the AG and court . . . If it passes it'll need some interpretation and lawyers will benefit. Jobs, jobs, jobs. In the end, I agree with the AG, it won't be any different than existing law, but the people of Alaska will really have been jerked around.

If Mark wants to benefit water, he might consider asking the President to veto the Clean Water Act exemption that fishermen just got through Congress. The idea the fishermen should pollute more and miners less seems a bit odd in the context of this argument.

July 26, 2008 - 7:18am | Sockeyemark

If the lawyers keep Pebble from Happening, that would be

good thing. Look how long Exxon kept the fight going, and in the end they prevailed.
Vote Yes on Prop 4#, clean water for our salmon!!!

July 26, 2008 - 12:33pm | rfn

The legislature oughta be looking

at an eminent domian proceeding to force the removal of all those "lodges" so the land can be restored to pristine wilderness.

Or...Laird Gillam could simply tear down that lodge!

2 July 17, 2008 - 4:03pm | rfn

Haven't personally received one

of those mailers yet, so the below might be taken as a generalization. What the heck; lots of THEM in circulation just now!

When I receive this kind of junk mail it often contains a post-paid return envelope in hopes of contributions. I just take all the material sent to me, mark it with prominent "NO" and "NO MORE JUNK MAIL" then stuff it plus any garbage I have hanging around in the return envelope. Then, return it.

It takes a little effort but it costs the sender quite a bit in postage that then can't be spent bothering others.

Gets rid of some garbage, too.

1 July 17, 2008 - 12:53pm | ThorZone

Good Thread Elizabeth

It's like a multi-headed Hydra! Lots of good stuff here.

TAILINGS IN LAKES
So far, Coeur spent $25 million on environmental studies and permitting. The Kensington project is in the best interest of Alaska as it will provide needed economic diversity and an annual payroll of $16 million. Coeur’s proposed Plan of Operation is supported by the findings of over 900 science and engineering studies. It seems to me like a good thing that this case is going to the US Supreme court. Maybe Coeur can get a ruling one way or the other on this issue. It has been going on for years.

BALLOT MEASURE 4
Good call on Ballot Measure 4. There are a number of areas that are very unclear. One of them is the part you highlighted in your thread. To quote you...

"The ballot summary's description of the first standard doesn't really spell out the courts' (and the sponsors') interpretation that the initiative refers to discharging a toxic pollutant in a harmful amount."

There are two things that are very damaging to Alaska contained in this measure. First is the one you cited. It is a problem because there are no court decisions about it. There will be a lot of court cases on this. If you spinning your wheels and watching lawyers getting rich, great, you should vote for it.

I for one think it is a completely irresponsible use of state resources to battle this out in the courts. The regulations that apply to these sort of cases is tested and good to go. This measure does nothing except make work for attorneys.

The other thing that this does is to shut down existing mines. I realize the supporters want you to think it doesn't shut down existing mines, but through the back door it does.

Mines are constantly going to regulators to get permits to do any number of things they need to do in the normal course of mine operations. This ballot measure will stop these new permits from being issued. The people who came up with this thing are correct, as worded it will not shut down existing mines. What they don't want you to know is when an existing mine needs a new permit, or has to renew an existing permit, this measure will shut them down at that point. Very sneaky!

Interesting post Elizabeth....keep 'em coming!

July 17, 2008 - 4:15pm | ebluemink

no court decisions

eh?

July 18, 2008 - 2:03pm | ThorZone

New Terms

The language of the ballot measure has not been tested in court as far as any resource development operations are concerned.

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Mining news roundup, Part 1