The debate over whether one of the largest open pit mines in the world should open in Alaska's Bristol Bay region is not just a concern for Alaskans but for those who live elsewhere in America and even those around the world. The proposed mine has made a stir all over the media because of the major concerns on both sides: "How can we not take advantage of the potential resources?" and "How can we start a mining production in such sensitive fishing habitats?" Alaska is known for having some of the most pristine land in the world, rich with wildlife and natural resources such as oil and fish. The conflict between the motive to exploit these resources for human benefit and the desire to conserve Alaska's natural beauty and wildlife has lead to one of the most pressing controversies of today.
I have selected 5 pieces of media that touch upon different points of the Pebble Mine debate. I felt these covered the major facets of the dispute. Both neutral, factual information and opinions of each side of the debate are mentioned in these articles which come from local, national and worldwide sources. There is a lot information available on Pebble Mine which can seem intimidating, but these articles concisely put together the whole picture and also give an idea of how different types of media can play on the situation. A full spectrum of viewpoints are represented here, from conservationists and witnesses to the devastation of other mines to confident resource regulators and economically stifled locals. The stories below make it clear that the conflict over the potential Pebble Mine is complex and problematic.
Dembosky, A. (2006, May/June). Minions of Midas. Mother Jones. San Francisco, CA.
Link: http://www.motherjones.com
The magazine Mother Jones discusses the politics of Pebble Mine, explaining the political situation of Alaska's stance on mining. The Canadian mining company Northern Dynasty has invested very little in lobbyists. The state of Alaska has a history of supporting the development of mining. Maybe this is the case because a lot of powerful people in the state's regulatory departments are former or future oil and mining executives. The state's laws allow mining companies to pay much less in royalties than oil companies. These laws were created for small mining prospectors, but are now enjoyed by large corporations. The writer concludes that it is up to the opposing side to make it clear to the public that this operation could actually be a ruinous plan. This article delivers a thorough overview of the politics that relate to this issue.
Photo taken by Trisha WardPhillips, G. (2007, January 3). Follow established process for Pebble. Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage, AK.
Link: http://www.adn.com/opinion
Former house speaker Gail Phillips advocates the state's established regulatory process for Pebble Mine. In her compass piece in the Anchorage Daily News, she states that the environmental group Renewable Resources Collation is not giving the state's permitting system a fair chance. Although the process can be argued to be either adequate or insufficient, it is the established process nonetheless and Gail believes that opponents of Pebble Mine should not act until the environmental data from the State comes out. This research will determine whether the proposal should go through. Gail closes optimistically, predicting that the state of Alaska is capable of not running into the same problems other states have had with mines.
Fowler, R. (2005, May 10). Pebble Mine should scare us to death. Anchorage Daily News. Anchorage, AK.
Link: http://www.adn.com/opinion/guest_columns/story/6473374p-6353459c.html
Raymond Fowler is an Anchorage doctor who wrote for the Anchorage Daily News in the opinion column titled "Pebble Mine should scare us to death." The article explains both what Pebble Mine is and where: "...in the cradle of the Bristol Bay fisheries and in the heart of Alaska's premier recreational lands." Fowler lived in Montana for 20 years, where he witnessed the dramatic effects of mining on the environment. His experiences influenced his vigilance against Pebble Mine. He states that he is for responsible development and supports drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, but his knowledge of Canadian mining companies' history in other states doesn't settle with him well. The communities around many mines in America have suffered with damaged lands and with more depressed economy than they had to start off with. The companies had broken every promise that they had made. Despite all the data from environmental studies that supported the prospect of a clean mine, this was proven wrong in the end. Raymond Fowler is very clear with his message: Alaskans should learn from the mistakes of other states and oppose Pebble Mine.
Economist. (2007, November 8). Fishing for molybdenum. London, U.K.
Link: http://www.economist.com/world
This article provides a good overview of the Pebble Mine debate. The author begins by describing the remoteness of the proposed mining site, and mentions the importance of the massive salmon run in the Bristol Bay watershed. A brief overview of Northern Dynasty's mining plan is given, including the building of roads, the open pit and underground mines, and the waste storage dams. The author points out that the mine would be located in the same high earthquake area that produced the infamous 1964 quake. The debate between the mining companies and conservationists is introduced, and the author also mentions the unusual concern for an environmental issue by strongly pro-development Alaskans (including senator Ted Stevens).
The article would be an excellent primer for someone with little to no knowledge about the Pebble Mine issue. The author does a good job of maintaining neutrality while presenting the facts and major arguments of both sides. The article condenses much of the important general information into seven short paragraphs.
Gusty, A. (Reporter). (2007, November 7). Pebble Mine - Part I. KTVA - CBS 11 News. [Television broadcast]. Anchorage, AK: CBS News.
This news clip is the first of a two part series by local Anchorage news channel KTVA on the Pebble Mine debate. Reporter Andrea Gusty travels to the Bristol Bay region and interviews local residents on their perspectives. The three residents they interview all seem to agree that poor fish prices and decreasing salmon runs mean commercial and subsistence fishing are no longer enough to support residents of the area. They complain unemployment and training means that locals are left to live on government welfare, and that Pebble Mine is a good opportunity to bring money and jobs into the region. This story is valuable because it's important to understand the perspectives of people who actually live in the area. However, only three people are interviewed for the story, and two of them are related. Both supporting and opposing sides have published conflicting polls that show local support for their stance, so it is hard to figure out how Bristol Bay residents really feel.
