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Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd
Natural Resources
NDM : TSX
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.'s principal asset is the Pebble copper-gold-molybdenum deposit and 153 square miles of associated resource lands in southwest Alaska. Pebble is the most significant undeveloped porphyry system in the world, and one of the greatest stores of mineral wealth ever discovered.
Located on American soil, the Pebble deposit is remarkable for both its size and composition. Current estimates indicate a total resource of 5.94 billion tonnes measured and indicated and 4.84 billion tonnes inferred, containing 81 billion pounds of copper, 107 million ounces of gold and 5.6 billion pounds of molybdenum, as well as quantities of silver, palladium and rhenium.
On July 31, 2007, a wholly-owned affiliate of Northern Dynasty and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anglo American plc entered a 50:50 partnership to design, permit, construct and operate a modern, long-life mine at Pebble. Under the terms of the agreement, Anglo is required to fund the next $1.425 to $1.5 billion of project costs, after which expenditures will be split 50:50. Anglo's investment is expected to to fund the Pebble Project through permitting and well into construction.
The Pebble Partnership is currently working towards timely completion of a Prefeasibility Study and expects to initiate project permitting in 2011.
Under the direction of U.S.-based management within the Pebble Limited Partnership, the Pebble Project is on a path to development. Key project strengths include:
a proven deposit with the tonnes, grade, metallurgy and geometry to support a long-life, high-volume, financially attractive mine;
favourable terrain and infrastructure availability for mine development;
a stable and predictable regulatory environment;
available financial and human resources to achieve project permitting and construction;
broad public support for responsible resource development in Alaska.
Investment Highlights:
The Pebble Project is the world’s most significant undeveloped porphyry system and one of the greatest stores of mineral wealth ever discovered. It has the potential to supply as much as one-quarter of America’s annual copper demand for more than 50 years, and up to 10% of the world’s annual molybdenum output. It is also the world’s largest gold resource.
Pebble is an advanced stage project located on American soil in southwest Alaska, listed by the US Geological Survey as the world’s most extensive mineralized system. It lies in close proximity to necessary power and transportation infrastructure and to shipping routes that serve key demand markets. The project setting presents few obstacles to successful mine and infrastructure development.
Northern Dynasty acquired the rights to the Pebble deposit and 153 square miles of associated resource lands in 2001. Since then, it has expanded known resources by more than 1000 %. With ~ 850,000 feet of drilling in ~1,000 holes, a significant percentage of mineralization at Pebble is in measured and indicated categories.
The Pebble deposit is among the world’s most significant accumulations of copper, gold and molybdenum. The deposit comprises 5.94 billion tonnes of measured and indicated and 4.84 billion tonnes of inferred mineral resources, and contains an estimated 81 billion lb of copper, 107 million oz of gold and 5.6 billion lb of molybdenum. Quantities of silver, palladium and rhenium also occur in the deposit.
On July 31, 2007, a wholly-owned affiliate of Northern Dynasty and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anglo American plc entered a 50:50 partnership to design, permit, construct and operate a modern, long-life mine at Pebble. Under the terms of the agreement, Anglo is required to fund $1.425 to $1.5 billion of project costs to retain its 50% interest, taking the Pebble Project through permitting and into construction, after which expenditures will be split 50:50.
In addition to Anglo American's significant investment in the project, an affiliate of Rio Tinto plc holds 19.8% of Northern Dynasty shares. Mitsubishi Corporation holds an approximate share position of 11%.
Under the direction of the Pebble Limited Partnership, led by some of Alaska’s most respected resource development professionals, the Pebble Project is on a clear path to development. The project study team is currently working towards the timely completion of a Prefeasibility Study and proposed development plan, and application for project permits. Following an anticipated three-year permitting process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Pebble Partnership is expected to finalize a Feasibility Study and initiate project construction in 2013. Initial production from the proposed mine is scheduled for 2016.
Pebble is on state land designated for mineral exploration and development. Approximately $130 million in environmental and socioeconomic studies have been undertaken over the past five-plus years in anticipation of the rigorous permitting process to be administered by federal and state agencies.
In addition to overseeing the technical, engineering and environmental studies necessary for project planning and permitting, the Pebble Partnership is advancing the social and political conditions necessary for project success. Substantial program investments have been made in the areas of workforce and business development, stakeholder and public consultation, and community investment.
Alaska is currently home to four hard rock mines. The state has a long tradition of resource development and is known around the world for its progressive environmental standards.
| Stock Information: |
 | | Last Trade Time: Sep 08, 2010 16:00 EST | TSX: NDM |
| | Current
| 7.590 | | Open | 7.620 |  | | | | Change | -0.020 | | Prev. Close | 7.610 | | | | | % Change | -0.26% | | Tick Type | N/A | | | | | Volume | 29,431 | | Shares (last trade) | 600 | | | | | Day High | 7.860 | | 52 Week High | 10.24 | | | | | Day Low | 7.590 | | 52 Week Low | 6.58 | | | | | Bid | N/A | | Ask | N/A | | | | | Bid Size | N/A | | Ask Size | N/A | | | | | # Trades | 184 | | Industry | Natural Resources | | | |
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