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 Pebble 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 traditional open pit development, high-volume underground mining (block caving) or a combination of both. The study team is looking at a range of tailings storage options and milling and process 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 advanced. Current concepts include: an 86-mile transportation corridor to connect the mine to a proposed port site on Cook Inlet, including a two-lane access road and four parallel pipelines for copper-gold concentrate, reclaim water, natural gas and diesel fuel; and, a 378 megawatt natural gas generating plant at the mine site.
All of this engineering work is supported by one of the most expansive environmental and socioeconomic study programs in Alaska's history. Approximately seven years and US$150 million have been spent collecting the data necessary to plan an environmentally sound and socially responsible project, and satisfy permitting requirements. An Environmental Baseline Document (EBD) was completed in January 2012 and is available to the public.
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 Proposed power generation and transmission corridor |
 Proposed road, pipeline and port site |
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