The Pebble Project NewsletterMARCH/APRIL 2013

For nearly a decade, the Faulkner family has flown over the Pebble Deposit never realizing that one day their family’s flight pattern would become the basis for a science fair project.

Clare Faulkner is an active singer and

swimmer, and an 8th grade honor student at

Central Middle School. This year, Faulkner’s

science fair submission – Which Tailing Dam

is least likely to fail during an earthquake

-- illustrates tailing storage facilities and the

impacts of earthquakes on three different

types of construction: upstream, downstream

and centerline.

Faulkner, a past state science fair winner,

said it was the amount of media –both good

and bad-- highlighting the Pebble Project that

encouraged her to become more informed.

“Honestly, I kept hearing people talk about

the Project, but I didn’t feel I had very much

information,” Faulkner said. “So, I decided

to do my own research, conduct my own

interviews and meet with Pebble personnel.”

Before Faulkner began constructing her

project, she met with Pebble Geologist,

Heidi Annell. Faulkner wanted to meet with

Pebble so she could decide what topic was

most relevant to her science fair project such

as tailing storage facilities or antibacterial

properties of copper. The driving force behind

Faulkner’s submission: the vast amount of

science and engineering required to build

tailing storage facilities.

Annell, a geologist for more than a decade,

shared her thoughts on Faulkner’s submission.

“To construct a science fair project of this

magnitude is commendable, especially

considering the polarizing propaganda that

circulates on a daily basis. It’s great to see

a young person take the initiative to become

more educated about a very important topic

that could potentially be a huge economic

benefit to the state.”

Pebble Project Engineer, Alasdair Martin, also

heard of Faulkner’s submission. “It’s exciting

to see students interested in engineering and

a potential project in Alaska.”

On March 24, 2013, after hours of

constructing, testing and writing, Faulkner

submitted her entry into the 2013 State

Science Fair, and for the second year in a row,

Faulkner received first place in her category

-- Engineering: Materials, Bioengineering,

Electrical and Mechanical – beating 13

other submissions. This year, Faulkner also

received special recognition from the following

sponsors: Chugach Gem and Mineral Society

and Alaska Resource Education.

FEATURE STORY

Tailings Storage Facility Science Fair Project Wins First Place

The Pebble Project Newsletter · www.pebblepartnership.com MARCH/APRIL 2013 | PAGE 1

At Pebble, as with many organizations, our values

define our corporate culture, create a sense of

purpose and provide direction for employees

and inform other stakeholders. When building

relationships, partnerships are formed and

our values are put into action. For example,

‘listen before we act’ and ‘building sustainable

communities.’

From the beginning, the Partnership has taken

careful steps to build relationships – the

establishment of the Pebble Fund, developing a

scholarship Program, contributing to a multi-year

endowment to the University of Alaska Native

Science Engineering Program, and the creation of

the Elder’s Advisory Committee. That said, we’ve

taken these steps because we care about the

communities where our stakeholders live and work.

These programs, in addition to many more, help

pave the way for success for generations to come.

I believe the future of our state is not only buried

in the ground, it exists amongst the leaders of

tomorrow. As a company, our goal is to leverage

our resources to responsibly build sustaining

relationships, provide as many economic

opportunities as possible and invest in people.

Warm regards,

Have a question for John?

Email: askjohn@pebblepartnership.com

Traveling AdviceSpring is officially here! Longer days and

warming weather draws many to favorite

lakes for ice fishing, to hills for hunting, and

the coastal ice-edge for sea food. To ensure

your safety:

• Draft a travel plan or tell a family member

• If possible, don’t travel alone, and never

leave your traveling partner

• Educate yourself about hazardous open

creeks and rivers that melt fast

• Always bring additional food, supplies and

fuel when traveling

• Know the area and the weather, but more

importantly, know yourself

Myth: The Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) does not use subsistence as planning criteria in the Bristol Bay Area Plan.

FACT: DNR manages state lands to ensure

there is sufficient food, water and space for

wildlife while Fish & Game regulates harvest of

the animals on that land.

Generally, subsistence is an allowed activity

on state lands. Area plans like the Bristol Bay

Area Plan do not affect generally allowed uses.

Requesting that DNR manage subsistence

as part of an area plan is asking the agency

to use the plan for a purpose which it cannot

legitimately serve.

Subsistence is an important part of life

throughout Alaska. In addition to providing food

to get families through long, tough winters,

subsistence provides an opportunity to pass

down traditional knowledge and important

cultural values.

BUSTER

Message from the President

GEOLOGY Q & AHow do we know the Pebble Deposit is approximately 90 million years old?

AnSwER: To directly date Pebble’s

mineralization, the Rhenium-Osmium dating

system is used. Like other elements, Rhenium

decays to form Osmium at a known rate.

Measuring the amount of Osmium in molybdenite

(molybdenum-bearing mineral) gives us a more

precise age for when the ore body formed.

PAGE 2 | MARCH/APRIL 2013 The Pebble Project Newsletter · www.pebblepartnership.com

Earlier this year, the Pebble Partnership Business

Development team hosted seven individuals

from five Alaska Native Village Corporations at

the National 8(a) Winter Conference in Orlando,

Florida. Pebble representatives and guests

networked with industry professionals, met

government representatives and attended training

sessions related to the National 8(a) Program.

The business goal of the trip was to introduce

Alaska Native Village Corporation representatives

to other 8(a) organizations. By doing so, Pebble is

helping build business experience for our partners

and leveraging long-term diversification efforts to

help achieve sustainability.

According to Matt Fagnani, Pebble Vice President

of Business Development, the National 8(a)

Association Conference served as a meeting

ground for 8(a) organizations nationwide. “The

caliber of company representatives looking for

Alaska 8(a) companies as potential partners was

remarkable,” Fagnani said. “Attendees learned

innovative ways to position their company to be

successful in today’s government contracting

environment.”

Rayn Aaberg, a Business Operations Manager

with Clear Stream and a Pedro Bay shareholder,

said he greatly benefited from attending this

conference. “I appreciated the opportunity to

network with numerous professionals, meet

potential clients and represent my corporation,”

Aaberg said. “For me, the business goal was to

create and leverage partnerships for the benefit of

my company.”

Following the Orlando conference, Pebble hosted

a follow-up meeting with the Alaska Native Village

representatives to recap strongpoints from the

conference and discuss next steps in working with

federal government agencies.

“Building business partnerships is a core value

at Pebble,” said Debi Schmit, a Pebble Business

Development manager. “I’m thrilled to see

stakeholders taking advantage of our commitment

to help build sustainable communities.”

According to Fagnani, now is an exciting time

to work with 8(a) companies. “In today’s

business and government environments, there

are a number of talented 8(a) organizations,”

Fagnani said. “I look forward to fostering these

relationships not only for the benefit of the

Project, but for the benefit of stakeholders, the

community and other business enterprises.” n

Building Business Partnerships

Mining FactIn 2010, the total direct and indirect

economic impact of U.S. mining was

valued at $2.4 trillion. Mining brings

employment, government revenues and

opportunities for economic growth and

diversification. Source: http://www.nma.

org/index.php/mining-in-the-news/30-

economy-and-employment

Green Star TipResearch shows that by unplugging

“vampire appliances” (electronics like cell

phone chargers, TVs and printers) when

not in use, you can save up to $200 on

your family’s annual energy bill.

Safety Tip #1When building business partnerships, it

is important to consider the safety culture

of all parties involved. A strong business

relationship should support a safety

management system that is effective

and balanced between the partners.

Businesses that are constantly searching

for ways to improve safety practices are

often looked at as a good investment for

the future.

Did you know that the Pebble Environmental Baseline Document (EBD) represents one of the most extensive scientific research programs ever conducted for a mining project?

Compiled by independent scientific experts, the EBD includes a wide variety of studies from mammals to minerals in both the Bristol Bay and Cook Inlet regions. One research program focused specifically on meteorological studies. Since 2005, Pebble researchers have been collecting and reporting a continual record of wind speed, wind direction, air temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, precipitation and solar radiation measurements in one hour average increments. The meteorological data was collected at various times from among 11 different study locations around the Pebble Deposit, Iliamna Bay and Iniskin Bay.

The Pebble Project Newsletter · www.pebblepartnership.com MARCH/APRIL 2013 | PAGE 3

3201 C Street, Suite 604Anchorage, AK 99503United States of America

ANCHORAGE: 907.339.2600TOll-FREE: 1.877.450.2600

www.pebblepartnership.com

www.facebook.com/PebbleProjectwww.twitter.com/PebbleProject

What is your position with Pebble? Currently, I am the Pebble Core Yard Supervisor. I

oversee all shop and yard activities and assist senior

management in day-to-day activities.

When did you start working for Pebble? I’ve been with Pebble for more than nine years --

beginning as a consultant, then working my way into the

core yard.

What does the Pebble culture mean to you? During my time with Pebble, there have been numerous

changes – for example, our safety culture. As a result

of site manager efforts, consistent communication and

improvements to internal processes, Pebble’s safety

culture has grown, is strong, and is now part of our

corporate fabric. As a company, I believe we have really

applied what it means to think, act and work safely.

Everybody -- from Pebble consultants and contractors to

Pebble employees -- looks after one other and it shows.

Can you share an example of how you have seen Pebble’s safety culture demonstrated?

From various work conversations and meetings, I believe

Pebble employees and contractors embrace our safety

culture. For example, I hear stories of employees and

contractors applying our safety principals not only at work

and home, but when they are traveling and enjoying the

great Alaskan outdoors.

What is your favorite memory with Pebble? Honestly, there are many great memories from my years

of work on the Pebble Project. We’re really a family out

here, and spend most of the year working, laughing and

solving challenges on a daily basis. I do have to admit,

the 2004 field season is hard to top. In addition to stellar

weather, I was working with and around a lot of great

people -- I really got to see and know the country out

here. Even now, people wonder how I am so familiar with

much of the area covered by the Pebble Project. Well, I’ve

spent many, many days flying and walking the land and

waterways encompassed by the project area.

At the end of the day, I enjoy my job because I wear a lot

of different hats and do many different things. I feel what

I do and the input I provide to this project is appreciated.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Meet Wade LawrenceA Pebble employee who takes pride in his work and is always willing to help others.

PRSRT STDUS Postage

PAIDAnchorage, AK

Permit #537

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