The proposed Pebble Mine threatens two of Alaska's beluga whale populations, including the last 340 belugas of Cook Inlet. The United States government recently designated more than 3,000 square miles of Alaska's Cook Inlet as critical habitat for a genetically unique and geographically isolated population of endangered beluga whales.
The mine would also threaten the beluga population of Bristol Bay, which depends heavily on the area's abundant salmon runs. It would be unconscionable to build a mega-mine with colossal dams that must hold back an estimated 10 billion tons of mining waste in an active earthquake zone.
Futhermore, Anglo-American PLC is not a desirable corporate partner. A report commissioned by opponents of Pebble, criticizes Anglo American for community, worker safety, public health, and environmental problems at their mining operations inSouth Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mali, and Ireland and notes the difference between Anglo's stated corporate goals and their actual corporate performance.
We ask the United States deny permits to Anglo American Corporation, and tell them to abandon plans for Pebble Mine.