Photo by: Northern Dynasty Minerals
Name of the Project
Pebble copper/gold/molybdenum/silver/rhenium project.
Location
South-west Alaska, in the US.
Project Owner/s
Pebble Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Northern Dynasty Minerals.
Project Description
A new preliminary economic assessment (PEA) published in September 2023 has provided new cost and price estimates and detailing an infrastructure plan that uses the “southern route” for the project access.
The 2023 PEA updates the Environmental Protection Agency’s final determination and the US Army Corps of Engineers’ record of decision appeal processes.
The 2023 PEA provides production, financial and cost estimates for a proposed 20-year, 180 000 t/d openpit operation with conventional processing producing two concentrates for the Pebble project.
The project will be capable of processing 1.3-billion tons of mineralised material over the life-of-mine at a strip ratio of 0.12:1.
On average, the mine will produce 320-million pounds a year of copper; 368 000 oz/y of gold; 15-million pounds a year of molybdenum; 1.8-million ounces a year of silver and 10 000 kg/y of rhenium.
Potential Job Creation
The project could create 750 to 1 000 direct jobs for Alaskans and 2 000 jobs overall.
Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at a 7% discount rate, of $2.23-billion and an internal rate of return of 16.25%, with a payback of 4.6 years.
Capital Expenditure
Initial capital costs for the design, construction, installation and commissioning of the proposed project are estimated to be $6.77-billion.
Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.
Latest Developments
Northern Dynasty Minerals has reported that the US Supreme Court has denied Alaska’s petition to review its claims that the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) veto of the Pebble project was illegal.
“While it is a disappointing decision, it is important to note that this is not a comment on the arguments put forward by the state. We have long stated our belief that the EPA has acted outside of its regulatory authority and that remains our position today,” Pebble Partnership CEO John Shively said on January 8.
He added that the legal issues raised by the state would now work their way through the federal courts.
Northern Dynasty will also evaluate its legal options in contesting the extraordinary steps the EPA has taken to preemptively stop the project.
Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
Northern Dynasty Minerals, tel +1 604 684 6365 or email info@northerndynasty.com.
Pebble Limited Partnership, tel +1 907 339 2600 or email receptionist@pebblepartnership.com.