Friday, August 17, 2012


Independent experts confirm EPA’s ‘hypothetical mining scenario’ not sufficient to evaluate Pebble


August 16, 2012, Vancouver, BC – A panel of 12 external peer reviewers charged with evaluating the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft Bristol Bay Watershed Assessment (BBWA) report presented their criticisms at a public meeting last week in Anchorage, Alaska after hearing testimony from some 100 local stakeholders, Alaska Native interests, the State of Alaska, technical and legal representatives of Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") (TSX: NDM; NYSE MKT: NAK), Anglo American plc ("Anglo American"), the Pebble Limited Partnership (the "Pebble Partnership" or "PLP") and advocacy groups.


The review panel – comprised of academics, scientists and professional consultants – assessed the quality and sufficiency of scientific information in the EPA’s draft BBWA report and whether the ‘hypothetical mining scenario’ presented is reasonable to assess potential effects of mining in the Bristol Bay region. The panel’s comments reflect a common concern that without a detailed mine plan incorporating modern engineering standards and site-specific mitigation, and one that clearly meets established environmental regulations and permitting requirements enforced by the State of Alaska and the US government, there is too much uncertainly to meaningfully assess the potential impacts of a project like Pebble…

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