The 77-year old John Shively, who has returned as the CEO of the Pebble Partnership after Tom Collier resigned last week following the Pebble Tapes, said his focus would be on earning back the trust that was shattered.

Acknowledging that it is a long haul, Shively said the journey would begin with small steps and noted that Alaskans would ultimately respond to the mining company’s actions.

“Our parent company, Northern Dynasty Minerals, unreservedly apologised to Alaskans last week — and I have echoed that apology in my conversations with staff and Alaskans since I agreed to return as CEO. Our former CEO correctly resigned following the revelations on the tapes. This was another step in righting the wrong we saw on the tapes,” he said.

In the tapes, released by an environmental activist group, Collier and other mining executives discussed their influence over Republican Governor Mike Dunleavy and Alaskan politicians. In the conversations, company officials suggested that while they were seeking a permit for a 20-year operation, Pebble might expand for as long as 180 years.

Responding to questions about how long mining would take place, Shively noted that the mine was one of the most significant mineral discoveries in the world and that the company had been clear from the outset that there would be opportunities beyond the 20-year plan taken into permitting.

“. . . any future development at Pebble would have to go through its own full and robust permitting process,” he stressed, and pointed out that there were no specific future plans currently contemplated.

Besides restoring trust, Shively would work to finalise the federal record of decision (ROD). One of the key elements necessary for the US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) to finalise the ROD was a mitigation plan.

The USACE in August said that the Pebble project could not be permitted without a wetlands mitigation plan, as the mine would have substantial environmental impacts within the Bristol Bay watershed.

Shively confirmed that the company was on track to deliver a plan that met the USACE’s requirements.

“Mining can be done at Pebble without harm to the Bristol Bay fishery. The final environmental impact statement reinforces this point. My fundamental principle when I started as CEO for Pebble in 2008 was that the project had to operate without harming the fishery or water resources of the region. I have sat through hundreds of hours of discussion and presentations that gave me the confidence the project can meet that goal,” he said.

Opponents to the project say it would permanently damage the Bristol Bay watershed, an ecosystem that supports the world's largest salmon runs.