Canadian mineral exploration and development company 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.
The Pebble project is a contiguous block of 1 840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. Northern Dynasty’s 100% owned US-based subsidiary Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the project.
“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 will now work their way through the federal courts.
“We will also evaluate our legal options in contesting the extraordinary steps the EPA has taken to preemptively stop the Pebble project. Pebble is an important project for Alaska and the nation. It could create jobs for Alaskans, provide an economic catalyst for the state and provide a much-needed source of critical minerals for the long-term safety and security of the US,” Shively said.