Pebble Mine

Alaska is filled with extraordinary wildlife, as well as valuable natural resources.

Wild Chronicles travels to Bristol Bay, site of a proposed gold-mining pit, and the center of raging debate. Geologists claim there are billions of dollars worth of gold to be had, but biologists fear a devastating spill of toxic mining chemicals could threaten the wild sockeye salmon population.
1. What are the benefits of a gold mine in Bristol Bay?
  
  Show Answer
  
  A gold mine would provide hundreds of jobs, improving the economy of the region.
2. How large would Pebble Mine be?
  
  Show Answer
  
  Pebble Mine would be an open pit about two miles long and 528 meters (1,700 feet) deep.
3. A leak or spill from Pebble Mine would endanger the local sockeye salmon population. What is another danger of such a spill?
  
  Show Answer
  
  A spill could contaminate freshwater resources. As Jack, a native of Bristol Bay, says, "Pure water is more precious than gold."
Articles & Profiles
- National Geographic Magazine: Alaska's Choice—Salmon or Gold
Images
- National Geographic Magazine: Bristol Bay Photo Gallery
Websites
- National Geographic Animals: Sockeye Salmon

Term	Part of Speech	Definition
biologist	Noun	scientist who studies living organisms.
debate	Verb	to argue or disagree in a formal setting.
geologist	Noun	person who studies the physical formations of the Earth.
gold	Noun	valuable chemical element with the symbol Au.
mining	Noun	process of extracting ore from the Earth.
natural resource	Noun	a material that humans take from the natural environment to survive, to satisfy their needs, or to trade with others.
population	Noun	total number of people or organisms in a particular area.
toxic	Adjective	poisonous.
valuable	Adjective	worth a considerable amount of money or esteem.
wildlife	Noun	organisms living in a natural environment.

Credits

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Writer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Editor

Jeannie Evers, Emdash Editing

Producer

Caryl-Sue, National Geographic Society

Last Updated

Nov. 14, 2016

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