Northern Dynasty Shares Plummet Amid Pebble Mine Concerns

Northern Dynasty Minerals' shares plunged 49% for a second day, following a 29% drop on Thursday, amid concerns over its efforts to advance the Pebble mining project in Alaska. The company is in talks with the US Environmental Protection Agency to move forward on the project, which has been blocked by the Biden administration over concerns about its impact on the region's sockeye salmon industry.

Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX:NDM)(NYSE American:NAK) experienced a significant drop in its stock price, with shares plunging 49% on Friday, July 2, following a 29% decline the previous day. The Vancouver-based mining company's stock has been under pressure due to ongoing concerns over its efforts to advance the Pebble mining project in Alaska.

The Pebble project, located near Bristol Bay, has been a contentious issue for years. Under the Biden administration, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) effectively blocked mining of the Alaskan deposit over concerns it would harm the region's sockeye salmon industry. Northern Dynasty has been in talks with the EPA to move forward on the project, but the company has faced setbacks, including the Biden administration's veto of the project.

Northern Dynasty filed a motion for summary judgment in Federal District Court in Alaska in July 2025, aiming to expedite the legal process. The company's CEO, Ron Thiessen, expressed confidence that the court will find the veto unlawful, emphasizing that the Pebble Project aligns with the administration's goals for U.S. critical metals self-sufficiency and AI leadership ambitions [2].

The Pebble Project is touted as the world's largest undeveloped copper and gold resource, with significant resources of gold, molybdenum, silver, and rhenium. The project has been a source of contention due to its potential environmental impact and the region's reliance on salmon fishing. Northern Dynasty has been working to address these concerns and secure necessary permits to move forward with the project.

Despite the setbacks, Northern Dynasty remains optimistic about the project's potential and the company's ability to secure the necessary permits. The company is also exploring various development options for the project, as the final project design may vary significantly from that currently contemplated [1].

The stock market's reaction to the Pebble Project's progress and the company's legal efforts highlights the significant risks and uncertainties associated with the project. Investors should consider these factors when evaluating Northern Dynasty's stock.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-17/shares-of-pebble-mine-owner-fall-55-in-biggest-drop-since-2020
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/NAK/northern-dynasty-motion-for-summary-judgement-filed-in-federal-gxy4rx7s197e.html