A Native leader and fishing groups travelled to Washington to try to stop development of a huge copper and gold mine in southwest Alaska. The Pebble Mine is near some of the world’s most productive wild salmon streams and is being readied for permitting beginning next year. Tom Tilden, chief of the Curyung (Choog-ee-yum) Tribal Council, said six tribes in the Bristol Bay area are seeking Washington’s help because state officials refuse to hear their concerns. With permitting to begin as early as next year, the tribes are worried, Tilden said. Alaska never saw a mine it didn’t want to permit, Tilden said.
The Pebble project is owned 50% by Anglo American and 50% by Northern Dynasty, in which Rio Tinto has a share of nearly 20%.
See http://www.adn.com/2010/09/24/1469926/native-groups-fishermen-seek-to.html#ixzz10bc9kN1K.