Northern Dynasty: Pebble Partnership Consents to EPA Request for Additional 20-day Abeyance to July 3, 2025

Rhea-AI Summary

Northern Dynasty Minerals (NAK) has agreed to EPA's request for an additional 20-day abeyance until July 3, 2025, extending the pause in litigation regarding the Pebble Mine project. This follows previous 90- and 30-day abeyances requested by the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow the new administration to review the case. CEO Ron Thiessen emphasized the importance of accelerating critical metals production in Alaska and the U.S., suggesting that removing the Obama/Biden era EPA veto would be more efficient than proceeding with legal action. The company views the previous administration's EPA restrictions as preemptive and illegal.

Positive

• Company shows willingness to cooperate with regulatory authorities
• Potential for resolution without lengthy legal proceedings if EPA veto is withdrawn
• Project could contribute to U.S. critical metals production if approved

Negative

• Further delay in project development with additional 20-day abeyance
• Continued regulatory uncertainty surrounding the Pebble Mine project
• Existing EPA veto remains a significant obstacle to project advancement

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / June 12, 2025 / Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) ("Northern Dynasty" or the "Company") and its 100%-owned U.S.-based subsidiary Pebble Limited Partnership ("Pebble Partnership" or "PLP") have informed the government that they do not object to a motion from the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ("USACE") (collectively, the "defendants") to hold the litigation in abeyance for a further 20 days. This is in addition to the prior 90- and 30-day abeyances previously requested by the defendants to give the leadership of the new administration time to familiarize themselves with the issues presented in this case and to decide how they wish to proceed.

"We have been patient with the post-election process with the understanding that it takes time to get the right staff in place and working," said Ron Thiessen, Northern Dynasty President and CEO. "However, accelerating the production of critical metals like copper is important for Alaska and the U.S. and the roadblocks to permitting need to be removed. We can proceed with our court filings in the legal action against the preemptive and illegal Obama/Biden era EPA veto, if necessary, but it would be far more timely, efficient, and in-line with the current U.S. administration's objectives if this extraordinary restriction, implemented by the previous administration, is simply withdrawn."

About Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

Northern Dynasty is a mineral exploration and development company based in Vancouver, Canada. Northern Dynasty's principal asset, owned through its wholly owned Alaska-based U.S. subsidiary, Pebble Limited Partnership, is a 100% interest in a contiguous block of 1,840 mineral claims in Southwest Alaska, including the Pebble deposit, located 200 miles from Anchorage and 125 miles from Bristol Bay. The Pebble Partnership is the proponent of the Pebble Project.

For further details on Northern Dynasty and the Pebble Project, please visit the Company's website at www.northerndynastyminerals.com or contact Investor services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114. Public filings, which include forward looking information cautionary language and risk factor disclosure regarding the Company and the Pebble Project can be found in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca and in the United States at www.sec.gov.

Ronald W. Thiessen
President & CEO

U.S. Media Contact:
Dan Gagnier, Gagnier Communications (646) 569-5897

Forward Looking Information and other Cautionary Factors

This document includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under applicable provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements in this document, other than statements of historical facts, which address permitting and the development and production for the Pebble Project are forward-looking statements. Additional forward looking statements made by the Company under its continuous disclosure obligations include statements regarding (i) the development plan for the Pebble Project (ii) the right-sizing and de-risking of the Pebble Project, (iii) the design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project development plan, including projected capital and operating costs, (iv) the social integration of the Pebble Project into the Bristol Bay region and benefits for Alaska, (v) the political and public support for the permitting process, (vi) the ability of the Pebble Project to ultimately secure all required federal and state permits, (vii) the ability of the Company and/or the State of Alaska to challenge the Environmental Protection Agency's Final Determination process under the Clean Water Act and ultimately the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Record of Decision ("USACE ROD") through legal actions; (viii) exploration potential of the Pebble Project, (ix) future demand for copper, gold and other metals, (x) if permitting is ultimately secured, the ability to demonstrate the Pebble Project is ultimately commercially viable, and (xi) the potential addition of partners in the Pebble Project. Although NDM believes the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements should not be in any way be construed as guarantees that the Pebble Project will secure all required government permits or regarding the ability of NDM to develop the Pebble Project in light of the USACE ROD and its subsequent remand decision and the EPA's Final Determination, establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, achieve the required financing or develop the Pebble Project.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by NDM as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Assumptions used by NDM to develop forward-looking statements include the assumptions that (i) the Pebble Project will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses without undue delay, (ii) any feasibility studies prepared for the development of the Pebble Project will be positive, (iii) NDM's estimates of mineral resources will not change, and NDM will be successful in converting mineral resources to mineral reserves, (iv) NDM will be able to establish the commercial feasibility of the Pebble Project, and (v) NDM will be successful in its legal action against the EPA and the USACE and any action taken by the EPA in connection with the Final Determination will ultimately not be successful in restricting or prohibiting development of the Pebble Project.

In addition, the likelihood of future mining at the Pebble Project is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including (i) the current development plan may not reflect the ultimate mine plan for the Pebble Project, (ii) obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, licenses and approvals without undue delay, including without delay due to third party opposition or changes in government policies, (iii) finalization of the mine plan for the Pebble Project, (iv) the completion of feasibility studies demonstrating that any Pebble Project mineral resources that can be economically mined, (v) completion of all necessary engineering for mining and processing facilities, (vi) the ability of NDM to secure a partner for the development of the Pebble Project, and (vi) receipt by NDM of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. NDM is also subject to the specific risks inherent in the mining business as well as general economic and business conditions. Investors should also consider the risk factors identified in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and included in its annual report on Form 40-F filed on EDGAR (www.sec.gov), as well as the risk factors set out in the Company's subsequent public continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

The National Environment Policy Act Environmental Impact Statement process requires a comprehensive "alternatives assessment" be undertaken to consider a broad range of development alternatives, the final project design and operating parameters for the Pebble Project and associated infrastructure may vary significantly from that currently contemplated. As a result, the Company will continue to consider various development options and no final project design has been selected at this time.

SOURCE: Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What is the current status of Northern Dynasty's (NAK) Pebble Mine project?

The project is currently under regulatory review with an EPA veto in place from the Obama/Biden administration, and litigation proceedings are paused until July 3, 2025, following a 20-day abeyance extension.

Why did Northern Dynasty (NAK) agree to the EPA's 20-day abeyance request?

The company agreed to allow the new administration's leadership time to familiarize themselves with the case and decide how to proceed with the issues presented.

What is Northern Dynasty (NAK) challenging in their legal action against the EPA?

The company is challenging what they describe as a preemptive and illegal Obama/Biden era EPA veto that restricts the Pebble Mine project.

How long has the Pebble Mine project been delayed by regulatory abeyances?

The project has faced multiple delays including a 90-day abeyance, a 30-day abeyance, and now an additional 20-day abeyance extending to July 3, 2025.

What is Northern Dynasty's (NAK) preferred resolution for the Pebble Mine situation?

The company prefers the EPA to withdraw the previous administration's restrictions rather than proceeding with court filings, viewing this as more timely and efficient.