Is the Pebble Mine gold mining project really going to take place in Alaska despite the environmental hazards it poses?

It looks like the people might just be able to make a difference when it comes to metal mining in environmentally delicate areas. A poll held in Anchorage, Alaska has revealed that about eighty percent of the inhabitants in neighboring communities are not in favor of the Pebble Mine project, a huge gold and copper mine that is supposed to be launched at a site owned by the state, close to Bristol Bay, Alaska. It appears that the poll is causing the companies (Anglo American PLC; Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.) that intended to set up the gold mine to reconsider. It also may influence the inclinations of politicians that need to give the green light before the metal mining can start. This gold and copper mine project is planning to utilize the open pit mining method, which causes harm to the land and creates waste in large quantities. If the metal mining project goes through, the Pebble Mine will be the biggest open pit mine, not only in Alaska, but in all of North America. Despite the fact that this could cause an economic awakening in the area, it could also harm the fishing industry since Bristol Bay is also where the biggest sockeye salmon fish are bred. The pollution, which is a guaranteed side effect of such a huge gold mine, would seriously upset the fishing industry in Alaska, which is currently a significant part of the economy in the area. In addition, salmon serves as a long-established source of food among the residents of Bristol Bay and its surrounding areas. Among those vocalizing their resistance towards the metal mining project are environmental protesters, professional fishermen, and local community assemblies. Furthermore, a representative group of Pebble Mine challengers went to a meeting held by one of the companies planning to establish the gold and copper mine, in order to voice their concerns. The poll that was recently held shows that the majority of the people who would be affected by this metal mining project are very much against the establishment of this gold and copper mine. Environmentalists the world over are hoping that this poll will help to stimulate resistance to the Pebble Mine. This poll exemplifies the need to consider the standpoint of inhabitants and neighboring residents when planning metal mining projects.

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