The group behind the proposed Pebble Mine is laying off workers after one of the partners in the controversial project pulled out.
Pebble Limited Partnership spokesman Mike Heatwole declined to say how many workers and contractors will be affected. He says Pebble had 70 to 80 full-time workers before the layoffs began last week.
Last month, Anglo American PLC announced that a subsidiary was withdrawing from the project, leaving Canada-based Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. as the sole owner.
Heatwole said this remains an important project for Alaska and that Northern Dynasty is looking for additional partners to keep the project moving forward.
Pebble had hoped to move into the permitting phase this year. Heatwole couldn’t say whether that would change.
