When discovery of the Pebble prospect was made public I was very much in favor of the mine and the opportunity for good quality jobs for my friends around Lake Iliamna. But, as I became familiar with the mine I started to vacillate. A number of credible sources I discovered suggested that even if a smaller, safer underground mine were to be built, Anglo American was not the company to do it. Corporate culture, like the culture of any society, changes slowly and often reluctantly. Anglo American has its roots in early days South African gold and diamond mining. It was formed by the man who would eventually control De Beers and hence the entire diamond cartel from mine to jewelry store. According to Jay Epstein, the whole purpose of Anglo American was to hide German assets in South Africa during World War I. They hired mercenaries to ambush and kill diamond smugglers operating outside the cartel. They have been accused by Human Rights Watch of doing business with outlaw guerrilla armies in Africa. Supplying logistical support in exchange for security. They have left school children standing in their classrooms knee deep in cyanide. I wondered how long the people who control Anglo American would continue to treat the tundra of southwest Alaska and the indigenous people who live there differently than they treat the indigenous people of Africa. I figured as long as it took to get the mine into production. This does not mean the Pebble Mine is dead. Nor should it. The original plan was for a smaller underground mine to high grade the richest gold deposits. That, I think could be done without serious environmental damage. I worked in Greens Creek Mine in Southeast Alaska and really, the footprint and environmental impact was very limited. If a credible major mining company comes along and partners up with Northern Dynasty to build a smaller underground mine, I would be inclined to support the idea. But to Anglo American I say good riddance.
Posted on: Tue, 17 Sep 2013 07:19:55 +0000
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