Officials Certify Results of Vote Against Pebble Mine

Election officials have certified the results of a vote against construction of the proposed Pebble Mine.

Results of the Lake and Peninsula Borough election showed a vote of 280-246 in favor of banning large-scale resource extraction activity that would “destroy or degrade” salmon habitat. Pebble Mine is a massive gold-and-copper prospect located near one of the world’s premier salmon fisheries.

A spokesman for Pebble Limited Partnership says they won’t contest the election results.

Mike Heatwole said Pebble instead will focus on a pending legal challenge to the ban. A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 7.

Alaskans for Bristol Bay spokesman Art Hackney says the residents of Lake and Peninsula Borough have spoken, and it’s time for Pebble to listen.