1. Alaskan Pebble Mine
Candace Hall, Amy Valdez, Jacques Blues, Mark Dones, and Christina Johnson University of Phoenix 11/24/2014 Environmental Economics Facilitator: Godwin Quashigah

2. Intro

3. Benefits of Pebble Mine
Jobs
During construction 2-4,000 will be generated.
Expected to produce 1,000 full time jobs for the next years
Copper and Gold
Currently U.S. imports 35% of copper from foreign countries, Pebble Mine will supply 33% of U.S. needs for many years to come
Increased Revenue for Alaska
$172 Million paid to Alaska Native corporations, $165 million in taxes, rents, royalties, and fees to state and local governments
The proposed Pebble Mine to take place in Bristol Bay, Alaska may not be the highlight of environmental aspects and conservation. Yet similar with most things there is two sides of the matter, The open mine pit will not only bring the much needed revenue to the Alaskan residents that need it but would increase the amount of copper and gold available to technology and jewelry needed to meet the high demand of both. The construction and development of this project would result in a job increase for local Alaskans which has been noted is much needed also. Assumingly the mining of these minerals will likely free us up from some of the dependence we have on other countries, increasing power in the United States. Green energy technologies like wind farms, solar panels, and electric cars all rely heavily on copper, and if we’re going to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, these alternative energy sources will be key. - See more at:

4. Image/Charts of Benefits
While the chart only minimally shows the decrease in imported copper and minerals that will be necessary after the construction of the mine, there is definite large distinction. The decrease is quite substantial and the amount of increase in high paying stable jobs for local residents is hard to go unnoticed. Yes there are certainly environmental aspects to be weighed in this option yet this may truly be considered one of those tough decisions to make that concern many people and the effect on their lives. This image depicts the dependency Americans have on copper and the increasing need for it.

5. Costs of Pebble Mine

6. Images/Charts of Cost

7. Factors of Influence Indigenous People Weather Conditions
Seismic Activity
Salmon and Fishing
Pollutants
Pebble mine is located on Bristol Bay in Alaska. This is an area that has seismic activity that affects all walks of life. There are 25 federally recognized villages that call Bristol Bay home and have for generations. “The Alaska Native cultures present in the Nushagak River and Kvichak River watersheds - the Yup'ik and Dena'ina - are two of the last intact, sustainable salmon-based cultures in the world. Salmon are integral to the entire way of life in these cultures as subsistence food and as the foundation for their language, spirituality, and social structure. Fourteen of Bristol Bay's 25 Alaska Native villages and communities are within the Nushagak River and Kvichak River watersheds, with a total population of 4,337 in In the Bristol Bay region, salmon constitute approximately 52% of the subsistence harvest. Subsistence from all sources (fish, moose, and other wildlife) accounts for an average of 80% of protein consumed by area residents” (EPA, 2014). There are weather concerns about the project starting at all in Pebble Mine including harsh winters, high winds, and flooding. Mines have long term impacts on fishing which is a main source of protein for the villages near Bristol Bay. “The pollutants that result from a mine of this type include arsenic, mercury, acid drainage, and copper tailing. Copper is known to be very harmful to fish and salmon in particular. Small amounts can be lethal to salmon and even trace amounts will impair their sense of smell and play havoc with their ability to find spawning grounds, mate, and detect predators. The resulting problem could be one of massive fish-depopulation” (Pebble Mine, 2011).

8. Conclusion

9. Conclusion

10. References
Environmental Protection Agency, (EPA). (2014). Retrieved from
The Pebble Partnership. (2013). Retrieved from
Pebble Mine. (2011). Retrieved from
Photo 3 Sesimic Activity. Retrieved from