Community Perspective
Don’t risk hurting Bristol Bay salmon
Large-scale mines can’t guarantee long-term safety
Published Sunday, August 24, 2008
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Stumble It!A month after the world celebrated the new millennium, a huge gold and copper mine burst, leaking more than 130,000 cubic meters of cyanide into the Lupes and Somes rivers in Romania.
In one day, people's lives changed forever.
What was an economic promise to the people of Romania turned out to be a nightmare.
Dead fish rotted on the beaches as far as Hungary and Serbia.
Thousands of people died or immediately became ill.
The rivers were the source of their food and water as people fished and raised farm animals there.
Residents became so distraught they couldn’t work or function well enough to leave home.
Their noses and mouths burned, and many fled the area that was home to their people for thousands of years.
The Aural Mine accident underscores what we risk with the proposed Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay.
Today, more than eight years after that accident, Romanians are still physically suffering and continue being shortchanged by the large foreign multinational corporations that assured them the mine would be safe.
Ana Ghisa has not yet received any compensation for her husband’s death from kidney failure in what doctors called a “work-related incident” at the mine’s cyanide plant.
Heavy metals and dust containing dried particulates of cyanide still intoxicate the air that Romanians breathe.
Fact is, toxic waste is the inevitable byproduct of gold and copper mining.
Pebble Mine could be one of the largest gold, copper and molybdenum mines in the world, making the Aural Mine small in comparison.
Although Romanians depend on the land for their livelihood like the people of Bristol Bay, the weather here is more extreme and vulnerable to earthquakes.
Thousands of quakes shake the Pebble deposit region every year.
There should be no doubt millions of gallons of toxic water from the mine’s tailing ponds will pollute our region’s fresh water supply, forever ruining the world’s largest salmon run and other marine resources.
Local Natives have depended on salmon for thousands of years and continue to depend on it today for both subsistence and commercial gain.
Bristol Bay residents depend on salmon for 20 percent of our overall diet, more than 211 pounds annually per family! My family is just one of thousands who depend on it.
Salmon has helped pay for my education and nourished my body and loved ones.
The Bristol Bay salmon fishery also pours in more than $100 million into Alaska’s economy every year.
Salmon feed 40 other species in the area, many of which we subsist on. Upon death it also feeds juvenile salmon to continue the circle of life.
A keen sense of smell is a crucial for salmon. It helps them identify predators, find mates and guides them back to Bristol Bay’s fresh waters to spawn.
Metals such as copper, gold and molybdenum destroy the fish’s ability to smell.
Studies show that salmon avoid any waters with even minimal traces of foreign copper or cyanide, used to extract gold.
Exposure to either one weakens their immune system and impairs brain function, making it impossible to find their original watershed, reproduce or fight off infections. This is why the Clean Water Initiative was spawned, to protect fisheries and clean water. I am concerned about the more than $8 million that opponents of Ballot Measure 4 have spent confusing and misleading voters.
Ninety-one percent of their funding comes from foreign mining firms who have a dirty, untrustworthy record in working with indigenous people and complying with environmental laws throughout the world. Ballot Measure 4 is a straightforward initiative that does not threaten mining jobs while safeguarding fishing families.
That’s why I hope Alaskans vote “yes” on Ballot Measure 4.
The Pebble proponents promise that the mine won’t impact human water supply or our salmon runs.
The purpose of measure 4 is to ensure that mining companies keep their promises to protect the largest employer in Alaska, the renewable industry of fishing.
Protecting a salmon’s sense of smell redeems our livelihood and renewable resources for future generations.
Who knew a salmon’s unique sense of smell would be so important?
Verner Wilson III, of Dillingham, is a recent environmental studies graduate of Brown University, where his thesis explored the Pebble Mine issue. He was born and raised in the Bristol Bay area, where his family fishes both commercially and for subsistence.
Community Discussion
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Vote NO on 4.
Agree No on 4. The State and Federal Government already have regulations in place to protect fresh waters. This is just a wacko idea from Ted Steven's buddy who doesn't want a mine near his lodge. Probably hasn't heard that the Washington Politicians won't be going to his lodge any way.
The Pebble Mine project is being built in Alaska not Romania under the laws and regulations that govern such construction in the U.S...Not Romania...I have already voted early and voted No on 4#
We can have both the fish and the mine.
Well, the way I see it is; we already have the fish, and we are about to give the mine to a Canadian mining conglomerate.
So, we will have the fish (unless the mine harms them or their reputation), and what else is it we are getting? Oh yeah, all the pollution risk and some jobs, then a huge ugly mining scar.
I dunno, I'm okay with the way it is now, so I'm voting YES on 4.
Any fishing boats loaded with fuel ever sink in Bristol Bay? How about jet fuel from all the tourists headed out that way? ATV use?
So there is absolutely NO pollution at all out there? Oh, and good use of Romania as a comparison. Ever hear of wealthier is healthier? Guess not. We can build MUCH better facilities than Romania, or most other countries.
No on 4. Alaska needs jobs, people pay for heating oil, fish do not.
Vote yes on Ballot #4. Red Dog and Pogo were permitted prior to 2002 when environmental and water guality standards were tougher. Mixing zones will now allow more toxic material into our streams and cause great harm to the world's largest wild salmon run on the planet. If the Pebble mine proponents say that IF a single salmon will be harmed there will be no mine. If that is so, then why don't the foreign owned mine proponents support Ballot #4?
Do no harm and vote yes on 4
I have to drink the water from the Kvichak and Alagnak so I will be voting "YES"
mcGreen says "We can build MUCH better facilities than Romania, or most other countries"
is that why we have built such outstanding internet infrastruture, health care system and railroads...worst than any other industrailized nations?
A better example of large scale copper mining is not in Romania, but rather, right here in Alaska.
The Kennecott Mine near McCarthy, which operated 1911 to 1938, was the largest copper mine of its day. Despite the use of 1920's mining methods, minimal reclamation, and being subjected as well to innumberable earthquakes(including the devastating 1964 event), the Copper and Chitina Rivers are still teeming with salmon and dipnetters trying to catch them. Now, as far as I know there was never any cyanide leaching performed at Kennecott, but the ore was milled and concentrated on site, then sacked and shipped by rail to Cordova. www.kennecottminerals.com/S&E_2002/S...
There is no reason a safe mine cannot be designed and built anywhere in Alaska. Surely we can do much better today than even the Kennecott Mine did back in the 1930's. An excellent model for a modern, environmentally safe mine is the Stillwater platinum/palladium sulfide complex in Montana http://www.stillwatermining.com/ . This mine directly employs 1500 people with living wage jobs, produces 3000 tons of ore per day, and since established in 1983, has not killed a single fish in the Stillwater or Boulder Rivers. Both of these rivers continue to provide some of the finest trout fishing in Montana as well as provide drinking water and irrigation to numerous towns and farms downstream.
Besides putting future permitting of existing mines into question, BM 4 will assure that no mines like Stillwater or Kennecott are ever built in Alaska ever again. Gone also will be the living wage jobs and prosperity these mines could provide in times of broad economic uncertainty.
Yes on 4!
Everyone that wants to Vote "No" on this, You are Wecome to come on over and get a FREE Drink of Water from the water-tank on the back of my truck.
The Water was pumped-up by "One of the Holding-Ponds near a mine.
Drink Up ! It's Good For You !
Definately voting YES on 4.
Yes on 4, Section 3 of ballot measure 4 ensures nothing will happen to current mining operations. Bristol Bay is the future of gold mining RED GOLD
Kennicott was not a sulfide mine. There's no comparison with what's planned for Bristol Bay.
Educate yourself before you vote and don't count on the State's permitting process to protect you. DNR never saw a mine they didn't like. Send these folks a message, vote yes on 4.
No on 4 twice in this household.
Skinfish,
Get your facts straight and educate YOURself. The Kennecott mine produced copper from very high grade, nearly pure sulfide deposits.
Here is a quote from a description of the Bonanza Mine one of the main producing mines of the Kennecott operations:
"Typically the large high-grade copper deposits of the area, like the Bonanza vein, contain many minerals in the Cu2S-CuS system. Chalcocite and djurleite are abundant, with minor amounts of covellite, bornite, chalcopyrite, digenite..." http://tin.er.usgs.gov/ardf/show.php?lab...
I agree there is little similarity between the Pebble deposit and the Kennecott deposits or what maybe proposed for Pebble vs what was done at Kennecott. The point is that despite Kennecott being a high-grade sulfide mine with no environmental protection, the Copper River fishery is world renowned for it's red salmon.
Kennecott is no comparison...
Upwards of 95 percent of the material mined by Pebble would be tailings waste, only 5% is useful! Kennecott was much more efficient in that it did not create so much waste rock like Pebble would. That is why it is so contraversial. I want to thank the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner for publishing my editorial, it is the voice of thousands of families who depend on clean water and wild salmon!
vernstor -- there is another significant difference between Kennecot and Pebble. At Kennecot they used Cl- and CN- in extractive recovery with no regulatory oversight, dumping millions of tons of contaminated tailings directly into the Chitina River, whereas, Pebble would be operated under close oversight using Best Practices available. You don't even know what methods will be proposed at Pebble, do you?
Isn't your degree in "environmental studies" and isn't this based on policy, not on earth science?
Tell us why it is not possible to mine and to fish on the same drainage?
One more question vernstor -- please tell us why you think that you know more than the professional engineers, geologists, and wildlife biologists who work at DNR and regulate the mineral industries?
BTW, I'd be curious to know what concentrations of dissolved copper are necessary to confuse salmon. Okay, another question, since this was your main argument in your editorial: What form of copper (oxidation state) is the bad one and which is the good one (essential element required for healthy organ function)?
Please excuse the triple postings, but I think it's very important to point out that the "thousands of families who depend on clean water and wild salmon!" that vernstor claims to speak for are also 100% dependent on the minerals that Pebble contains, to catch those very fish. Maybe it's time for Bristol Bay to start contributing to their own needs. They've been completely dependent on someone else digging a giant pit in someone else's backyard, extracting and refining the metals, manufacturing something essential out of the refined product, and delivering it to Bristol Bay in order for the fisherman to catch their fish.
We can have both fish and minerals. We must have both fish and minerals. To say "we can't" is defeatist and morally unacceptable.
NO on 4 times 3 from my household.
Prospector, et al,
Have you even read Ballot Measure #4 or are you simply basing your arguments from the propoganda delivered to your Mailbox or Television? Pebble Mine is not specifically mentioned in the proposal because it is illegal to do so. In addition, the wording guarantees that new Regulations will not be imposed against existing Mines or those under 640 Acres.
You are right. We can have both the Fish and the Mine. However, if the Foreigners who want to build a Mine in Alaska expect to succeed, they should have to adhere to the strictest standards that can be enforced. After all, I think we can all agree that our Bristol Bay Salmon Resources are invaluable (largest Sockeye population on Earth). Why shouldn't we do everything possible to protect them?
The current DNR Regulations are those that were watered down by Governor Murkowski to encourage Mining Development in Alaska. The Red Dog, Fort Knox, etc... had to adhere to the more strict Regulations that were in place when those Mines were proposed.
Sure Pebble Mine could provide jobs in Alaska, but I believe that it should do so with a ZERO TOLERANCE proposal that would guarantee the protection of our most precious resources. Ballot Measure #4 requires that.
Sure, Brian Kraft is against the Pebble Mine. He owns a Lodge on the Kvichak River. Doesn't he have just as much right to protect his interest as those who are proposing the Mine?
Please read the Measure before you vote. It isn't that complex.
BKB
People, the point is this would not just affect Pebble. It includes ALL OF THE EXISTING MINES, and that has been clarified by the state. If the people in the Bristol Bay Area don't want Pebble a better thought out iniative would have gotten them alot farther. I think there are alot of people who aren't thrilled about Pebble but will still vote NO. Ballot Measure 4 is not the way to stop Pebble.
Two nos on 4 in my househole (not to mention all the extended family who is voting no on 4 also)
if you all want it the way it is now, then vote no. it has nothing to do with the pebble mine. nearly all the mining throughout alaska is going to shut down. NO
Romania??? What? Are you kidding me! How can you even compare Romania with the U.S.? With the laws we have in place you can't build an outhouse without federal review and an environmental impact survey. Many of these laws were put in place after, and as a result of, the Exxon Valdez spill. That makes that comparison hollow and outdated as well. We don't need more laws that simply repeat the federal laws already in place.
Why does this need to be mined? Because it's there? Why not save resources for future generations? Why exploit them all now? Won't they be worth more later?
We all know if Pebble goes in there will be violations of the law. Every lagre mine does. Then they are fined, and they "fix" the problem. What if they really really mess up? What if they make one big mistake? What if there are no more salmon in Bristol Bay? Are we happy for the mine then?
vote yes on four! It will save all resources for the future< salmon and minerals alike
1 part per Billion will confuse salmon smolt......yes on 4 three times from this house....keep it simple, it's not about mining it's
about CLEAN WATER
Vote NO, this isn't about pebble mine, the mine isn't even mentioned in the bill. Come on people wake up and read. Educate yourself, this will shut down all mining in Alaska. VOTE NO on 4
No on #4 times 3 in this household! Still no one has garunteed me that Pebble WILL kill the fish. What will most likely happen is it will shut down Ft.Knox sooner. Then all you home owners in the Fairbanks area can take 10 to 20 percent off the value of your house the next day. Remember the Eilison closure notice?
bakerb -- yes, I have the state voting pamphlet right here. BM4 is appallingly, poorly written. Dermot Cole is exactly correct when he judged that the fuzzy language in this measure is the stuff of lawyers' dream$.
surrender -- 1ppb Cu is preposterous! Most natural anadromous streams far exceed this level of concentration. Seawater averages 2.5 to 5ppb Cu and Cu is far more concentrated near coastal environments (100 to 400ppb) and exceed 100ppm near submerged volcanic vents. How do you think geologists found Pebble (and like mineral deposits) to begin with? The Illiamna area is highly concentrated in copper, zinc, lead, silver, and molybdenum. For gosh sakes, it's an exhumed (eroding) volcanic island arc.
This is the problem with public initiatives like this. It leaves big decisions to citizens with no knowledge of the issue. Anti-mining operatives are paid to confuse your emotions.
If you think it's going to safe for the salmon or any wildlife. I dare you to drink downstream from Pebble mine after 5 years from now or after the mining company has left. I bet you Governor Palin is not going to drink from that water. Even the mining company ceo and their board of directors. The mining economy is not going to completely stop.
TundraRebellion;
Thanks for bringing up Kennicott. There were also a lot of mom & pop mines throughout the copper in those days. I am sure they had very little waste regulations then and a lot of the watse was dumped into the river including oil and fuel.
To support ballot 4 to me says we MUST change copper salmon from prestine to polluted. Talk about opening up a can of worms? But then with copper salmon not marketable anymore,us dipnetters can get more fish!
I also really love how Alaskans for Clean Water run ads about Frank Murkowski playing on people's anti-Murkowski sentiments, but its a bunch of BS!
VOTE NO!!!!!!
VOTE NO!!!!
NO ON 4 !
Gee, after reading all these comments, I have changed my mind and wished I had voted differently. Oh, the humanity!
Not.
it's a shame. alaska doesn't need this mine! big money won this election with fear tactics. just like good old george did. i guess they learned from the worst president in history. our system is a joke!!!! after exxon decsion and this vote....hold on i've got to go puke!!!!! hope obomaha can get this country back on track!!!!
bigjoe - Wipe that puke off your chin and fess up. You need this mine. You're using up minerals faster than they can be produced.
BTW - where is "obomaha"? Is this in Nebraska or Kansas?
prospector: i need this mine like a hole in head, i'm smart enough to know this is all about money,our resouces and their propaganda. it's like a game of 456 if got the most money your gonna win.
exxon proved that. what are we gonna do after the next big screw up? we'll all just smile and take it in the shorts again.......this is ridiculas!
bigjoe - yeah, just keep using the oil and minerals that others provide for you. When are you going to get off your lard butt and start producing these things for yourself? It's all about providing you for the extraordinarily soft life that you lead.
Prospector,
Congratulations! You have sided with the BIG MONEY Foreigners to defeat this Measure. Your team used very effective tactics. There must be some solid profits to be made in Bristol Bay for these companies to have spent $9 Millon on this issue.
I agree with you that we must maintain a balance between our stewardship of the land and the resources we need to maintain our lifestyles. For instance, I used to be adamantly opposed to ANWR drilling. However, recent events have tipped the balance to where I believe that the resources in ANWR MIGHT be able to relieve some of the dependence the US has on Foreign Oil.
However, Pebble Mine won't be mining Oil. It is a Gold Mine. I realize that Gold is used for many purposes in Technology and Industry. But, it is a known fact that over 80% of the Gold claimed in mines is used for JEWELRY!!! Our Country does not need more Jewelry.
Lastly, don't assume that everyone that was in support of Ballot Measure #4 is an idiot. Don't assume that they are left-wing fruitcakes that will be voting for Barack Obama.
I voted for Bush, Stevens, Young, Lisa Murkowski, and Sarah Palin (though I am beginning to question this one). I voted again yesterday for Stevens and Young. I will be voting for Sen McCain. However, I don't believe that we should rape and pillage our resources for a quick DOLLAR. We do have a responsibility of stewardship over our Beautiful State.
There must be mines. Our society requires the minerals. But, there is a balance. Pebble Mine is the wrong mine in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Best Wishes,
Benjamin K. Baker
bakerb -- says you, anyway. I would be just as right if I accused you of being used by a local billionaire with hired outside lawyers and greenie thugs. I am on the side of Northern Dynasty on this issue. They have been abiding by our laws and regulations. Some have attempted to subvert the regulations by making false statements and trying to renege on the pact. Even Jay Ramras who is opposed to the possibility of a mine at Pebble recognized the effort at bad faith and came out against BM4.
Pebble is a porphyry copper deposit with gold and molybdenum as by-products. If mining commences, the primary product will be copper. Something you use everyday. You're using it right now.
wow
This is pretty good. Prospector's got a bit of internet game but he's promoting a losing cause.
Alaskans don't need Pebble to be happy. Bristol Bay is far more valuable for its unreplaceable wilderness and fisheries values. Let's hope the failure of Prop 4 isn't the kiss of death.
Pebble is the wrong mine in the wrong place,,,,plenty of ore in other places around the state. Leave the worlds largest sockeye run alone.
surrender -- please name these other places around the state with plenty of ore? Tonnage, oregrades, and dilution data would be good.
Prospector,
I am not aware of ANY ore deposits in Alaska that would compare to those available where Pebble is proposed. However, I don't think you get it. I (and many like me in this State) would not trade the most prolific Sockeye Salmon Fishery in the World for ANY Mine - no matter how rich the deposits are.
You seem to be very well educated in ore extraction. Possibly, you are employed in that field. Why don't you share with us ONE example of a Cyanide Sulfide Mine of this size that has NOT polluted the environment? Is there something that Northern Dynasty can show the World as their Model?
BKB
Well lets hear a big round of applause from everyone who's happy with the 3 percent royalty Pebble's foreign consortium is going to pay us and the 200 million dollars a year worth of jobs that would have to last 750 YEARS to give us a half-stake in OUR OWN MINERALS. Who said it? "There's a sucker born every day."
And, oh yeah, what about the fish?
For those who are not worn out, there is also another related thread, protect fish, running on NewsMiner:
http://newsminer.com/news/2008/aug/28/pr... - comments
Bristol Bay Battlefront
The battle Prop 4 is over.
The war is now formally declared.
The coastal cities, towns, and villages are slowly getting back to normal.
The schools are back and the children are heard all day long.
The fishermen are cleaning up and the fish processors are slowing down for fall.
The eagles can be seen still feeding their young and the bears are getting fat and happy.
The smell of smoked salmon waifs through the air.
The small ragtag group of fishermen, local residents, school children, and activist dig in for another long cold winter.
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