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We write on the day of Anglo American's shareholder meeting to register deep concerns about the proposed open-cast, gold and copper Pebble Mine in Bristol Bay, Alaska. We are unusual bedfellows, including Alaska Native leaders, the director of Bristol Bay's largest commercial fishing group, royal jewellers, fisheries conservationists and keen anglers. Together we express our support for protecting Bristol Bay, home to the world's largest, sustainable and most valuable wild-salmon fishery.
Anglo American has not gained broad community support for the mine. Some 80% of Bristol Bay residents are opposed. The all-party parliamentary group for tribal peoples has tabled an early day motion, expressing concern at the lack of consent of the local population, as required by the UN declaration of the rights of indigenous people.
Last week a group of 30 investors, including the UK local authority pension funds, representing over £106bn, wrote to the US Environmental Protection Agency urging a review process under the Clean Water Act to evaluate the waste impacts of the proposed mine on the Bristol Bay watershed, which produces roughly half the world's commercial supply of wild sockeye salmon.
We do not want to see a renewable resource that feeds the local communities, employs 10,000 people and provides a source of healthy seafood to the world put at risk for a non-renewable resource. We are proud to stand together in our opposition to the proposed Pebble Mine.
Bob Waldrop Executive director, Bristol Bay Regional Seafood Development Agency, David Harsila President, Alaska Independent Fishermen's Marketing Association, Bobby Andrew Spokesman, Nunamta Aulukestai, Martin Horwood MP Chair, all-party parliamentary group for tribal peoples, Paul Knight Chief executive, Salmon & Trout Association, Tim Ingle Director, Ingle & Rhode, Christian Cheesman Director, CRED Jewellery, Charles Jardine Angler
