Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Partnership have been collecting the technical and environmental data necessary to develop a successful mine since 2001. This work is currently being advanced by a dedicated team of 20 senior engineers and technical specialists (many consulting from Anglo American), as well as 58 leading engineering firms and specialized consultancies from the U.S. and around the world.
The project study team is currently working towards finalizing a Prefeasibility Study. This work will be supplemented by public input received through a consultation process led by the Keystone Center – a respected, independent non-profit organization that specializes in stakeholder dialogue
A range of options for mining the Pebble deposit are being examined, including a conventional open-pit, high-volume underground mining (block caving) or a combination of both. The study team is looking at tailings storage options and milling and processing alternatives, although it is expected that industry standard froth flotation will be the principal processing method selected.
Planning for transportation, power and related infrastructure is also underway. Current concepts include 86 miles of new road to connect to a port site on Cook Inlet, a parallel concentrate pipeline, and transmission lines to carry power from a natural gas-fired generating plant on the Kenai Peninsula.
All of this engineering work is supported by one of the most expansive environmental study programs in Alaska's history. Approximately $130 million and six years have been spent collecting the data necessary to plan an environmentally sound and socially responsible project, and satisfy permitting requirements.
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 Proposed power generation and transmission corridor |
 Proposed road, pipeline and port site |
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