Rio Tinto has announced it will donate its 19.1% share in Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., owner of Alaska’s controversial Pebble Project, to two local charities after a 2013 review concluded the project doesn’t align with RioTinto’s long-term goals.
“By giving our shares to respected charities, we are ensuring Alaskans will have a say in Pebble’s development and that any benefit supports Alaska’s ability to attract investment that creates jobs,” said Rio Tinto Copper Chief Executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques.
The shares, said company officials, will be divided between the Bristol Bay Native Corp. Education Foundation, which supports region-wide educational and cultural programs, and the Alaska Community Foundation, which will use the funding to provide skills training for the mining and extractive industries.
