Northern Dynasty Mines Pebble Project environmental manager Ella Ede recently showed the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce a core sample from the test site at the Pebble project near Illiamna on the other side of Cook Inlet. The samples did contain gold, however Ede said it would take an estimated ton of the sample rock to yield an ounce of processed gold, "Most of the glitter you see in the ore is pyrite, or fools gold," said Ede. According to Ede a lot of work is under way across the Inlet and the project is moving along very well, "We're excited, we are continuing our environmental base line studies this year out at the Pebble Project site and our budget for this year is about 35 million U.S. dollars and that includes some additional geotechnical drilling as well as our environmental and engineering program," said Ede. The first environmental permits are scheduled to be applied for the third quarter of 2006.

Ede says the base line data gathering is a very comprehensive process involving 90 to 100 people on site on a weekly basis this summer that includes sample gatherers, bear protectors and geologists. Additionally there are about 450 people and 40 consulting firms working on the project in offices and locations away from the project site yet mostly in Alaska, "We are committed to local hire and there are jobs available for driller helpers, water quality technicians and some others. The best way to look into job opportunities would be to go to our new website www.ndmpebblemine.com we list openings on our website and resumes can be submitted at the site," said Ede. The website also has extensive information on the project and lists of frequently asked questions, "We have a question of the day anyone may submit questions or get on our mailing list to receive regular updates," added Ede.

Northern Dynasty hopes to start operations in five years and feels that is a realistic schedule to complete the permitting process. Homer Electric Association is presently working on a proposal to provide power to the site.

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