"In Another Blow To Pebble Mine, Rio Tinto Pulls Out"

"The global mining firm Rio Tinto announced Monday that it will divest its 19 percent stake in the controversial Pebble Mine project in Alaska,  donating its shares to two state charities.

The decision is the latest blow to the proposed gold, copper and molybdenum mine, which is under federal scrutiny for how it could affect the nearby Bristol Bay watershed, which supports nearly half the world’s sockeye salmon. In late February the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would invoke its authority under the Clean Water Act and consider blocking the mine, effectively halting the project.

Rio Tinto Copper chief executive Jean-Sebastien Jacques, whose company started reviewing its investment in the Pebble Partnership in December, said it would donate its investment in Northern Dynasty Minerals to the Alaska Community Foundation and the Bristol Bay Native Corporation Education Foundation."
    
Juliet Eilperin reports for the Washington Post April 7, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"In Latest Blow To Pebble Prospect, Mining Giant Rio Tinto Is Pulling Out" (Anchorage Daily News)

"Rio Tinto To Give Away Pebble Mine Project Shares" (AP)

"Rio Tinto Withdraws From Pebble Mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay" (ENS)