Northern Dynasty: Pebble Partnership Consents to EPA's Request for 90-Day Abeyance for New Agency Leadership to Decide How to Proceed
Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) and its subsidiary Pebble Partnership have agreed to EPA's request for a 90-day abeyance in ongoing litigation. This pause will allow newly confirmed EPA leadership to review the case and determine next steps regarding the Pebble Project, which represents the world's largest undeveloped copper deposit.
The company believes EPA acted inappropriately in vetoing mining activities at the site. CEO Ron Thiessen expressed optimism about the review period, citing recent executive orders, the new administration's emphasis on science and facts, and the importance of domestic critical mineral production. The company aims to resume permit discussions with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) e la sua controllata Pebble Partnership hanno accettato la richiesta dell'EPA per una sospensione di 90 giorni nelle controversie legali in corso. Questa pausa permetterà alla nuova leadership dell'EPA di esaminare il caso e determinare i prossimi passi riguardo al Pebble Project, che rappresenta il più grande giacimento di rame non sviluppato al mondo.
L'azienda ritiene che l'EPA abbia agito in modo inappropriato nel porre il veto alle attività minerarie nel sito. Il CEO Ron Thiessen ha espresso ottimismo riguardo al periodo di revisione, citando i recenti ordini esecutivi, l'enfasi della nuova amministrazione sulla scienza e sui fatti, e l'importanza della produzione domestica di minerali critici. L'azienda mira a riprendere le discussioni sui permessi con il Corpo degli Ingegneri dell'Esercito degli Stati Uniti.
Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) y su subsidiaria Pebble Partnership han aceptado la solicitud de la EPA para una suspensión de 90 días en el litigio en curso. Esta pausa permitirá a la nueva dirección de la EPA revisar el caso y determinar los próximos pasos respecto al Pebble Project, que representa el mayor depósito de cobre no desarrollado del mundo.
La compañía cree que la EPA actuó de manera inapropiada al vetar las actividades mineras en el sitio. El CEO Ron Thiessen expresó optimismo sobre el periodo de revisión, citando recientes órdenes ejecutivas, el énfasis de la nueva administración en la ciencia y los hechos, y la importancia de la producción nacional de minerales críticos. La compañía tiene como objetivo reanudar las discusiones sobre permisos con el Cuerpo de Ingenieros del Ejército de los EE. UU.
노던 다이너스티 미네랄스 (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK)와 그 자회사인 페블 파트너십은 EPA의 요청에 따라 진행 중인 소송에서 90일 간의 유예를 합의했습니다. 이 중단은 새롭게 확인된 EPA 리더십이 사건을 검토하고 페블 프로젝트에 대한 다음 단계를 결정할 수 있도록 할 것입니다. 이 프로젝트는 세계에서 가장 큰 미개발 구리 매장량을 나타냅니다.
회사는 EPA가 해당 지역에서의 채굴 활동을 거부한 것은 부적절하다고 생각하고 있습니다. CEO 론 티센은 최근의 행정 명령과 새로운 행정부의 과학 및 사실 강조, 그리고 국내 중요 광물 생산의 중요성을 언급하며 검토 기간에 대한 낙관적인 입장을 표명했습니다. 회사는 미국 육군 공병대와의 허가 논의를 재개하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) et sa filiale Pebble Partnership ont accepté la demande de l'EPA pour une suspension de 90 jours dans le cadre des litiges en cours. Cette pause permettra à la nouvelle direction de l'EPA d'examiner le dossier et de déterminer les prochaines étapes concernant le Pebble Project, qui représente le plus grand gisement de cuivre non exploité au monde.
L'entreprise estime que l'EPA a agi de manière inappropriée en opposant son veto aux activités minières sur le site. Le PDG Ron Thiessen a exprimé son optimisme quant à la période de révision, citant des décrets exécutifs récents, l'accent mis par la nouvelle administration sur la science et les faits, ainsi que l'importance de la production domestique de minéraux critiques. L'entreprise vise à reprendre les discussions sur les permis avec le Corps des ingénieurs de l'armée des États-Unis.
Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) und ihre Tochtergesellschaft Pebble Partnership haben der Bitte der EPA zugestimmt, die laufenden Rechtsstreitigkeiten für 90 Tage auszusetzen. Diese Pause ermöglicht es der neu bestätigten EPA-Leitung, den Fall zu prüfen und die nächsten Schritte bezüglich des Pebble Project zu bestimmen, das die weltweit größte unerschlossene Kupferlagerstätte darstellt.
Das Unternehmen glaubt, dass die EPA unangemessen gehandelt hat, als sie die Bergbauaktivitäten an diesem Standort abgelehnt hat. CEO Ron Thiessen äußerte Optimismus über die Überprüfungsphase und verwies auf kürzliche Exekutivverordnungen, die Betonung der neuen Regierung auf Wissenschaft und Fakten sowie die Bedeutung der heimischen Produktion kritischer Mineralien. Das Unternehmen beabsichtigt, die Genehmigungsdiskussionen mit dem U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wieder aufzunehmen.
- Project represents world's largest undeveloped copper deposit
- Potential for permit discussions to resume with USACE
- EPA veto on mining activities remains in effect
- Additional 90-day delay in resolving permit situation
Insights
The consent to EPA's 90-day abeyance request marks a pivotal moment in the contentious Pebble Project saga. This strategic move carries several significant implications:
The timing is particularly noteworthy, coinciding with the new EPA Administrator's confirmation and recent executive orders regarding domestic critical minerals. This alignment creates a potential window for policy recalibration, especially given the administration's stated emphasis on science-based decision making and domestic resource development.
From a legal perspective, this abeyance period serves multiple purposes. It allows the new EPA leadership to thoroughly review the previous administration's veto decision while potentially setting the stage for a more favorable regulatory environment. The company's non-objection to the delay suggests confidence in potential policy shifts that could benefit their position.
For investors, this development represents a calculated risk with significant upside potential. The Pebble Project's status as the world's largest undeveloped copper deposit makes it a strategic asset in the context of growing demand for critical minerals. However, several key factors warrant careful consideration:
- The outcome remains uncertain, as any policy shift would need to balance environmental concerns with resource development priorities
- The 90-day review period could lead to various scenarios, from maintaining the veto to opening new pathways for permit consideration
- The broader implications for U.S. critical minerals policy could affect other mining projects and related investments
This development underscores the complex interplay between environmental regulation, resource development, and national strategic interests. The resolution of this case could set important precedents for similar projects and influence the broader landscape of domestic critical mineral development.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / February 18, 2025 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") and its
"Given the timing of the recent confirmation of the Administrator of the EPA, the executive orders by President Trump and comments made by the new administration regarding the need for science and facts and domestic critical mineral production, we are not objecting to this request for abeyance by the defendants," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO. "The 90-day period will give the new administration time to familiarize themselves with the issues presented in this case and to decide how they wish to proceed. We believe the EPA acted inappropriately when they vetoed any mining activity on the world's largest undeveloped copper deposit, the Pebble Project."
"The U.S. is fortunate to have such a strategically important deposit like this on American soil, and we are eager to get back before the USACE and renew discussions regarding our permit," Mr. Thiessen continued.
About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a
For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project can be found in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov.
Ronald W. Thiessen
President & CEO
U.S. Media Contact:
Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897
Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors
This document includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting, including the effects of the incoming Trump Administration, the abeyance described above and the development and production for the Pebble Project are forward-looking statements. These include statements regarding (i) the development plan for the Pebble Project (ii) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (iii) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project development plan, including projected capital and operating costs, (iv) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (v) the political and public support for the permitting process, (vi) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits, (vii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to challenge the EPA's Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act and ultimately the USACE ROD decision through legal actions; (viii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (ix) future demand for copper, gold and other metals, (x) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate the Pebble Project is ultimately commercially viable, and (xi) the potential addition of partners in the Pebble Project. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Project in light of the USACE remand decision and the EPA's Final Determination, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, achieve the required financing or develop the Pebble Project.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NDM as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) any feasibility studies prepared for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, and NDM will be successful in converting mineral resources to mineral reserves, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and the USACE and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project.
The likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) the current development plan may not reflect the ultimate mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (iii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iv) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (v) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (vi) the ability of NDM to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and included in its annual report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), as well as the risk factors set out in the Company's subsequent public continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time.
SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
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