The Pebble Partnership today announced that long-time Alaska business leader John Shively has been named Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company seeking to develop a globally significant copper deposit in the Bristol Bay region of southwest Alaska.
“We’re extremely pleased that an Alaskan of John’s experience and personal integrity has agreed to lead the Pebble Project into the future,” said Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American plc, one of two companies that comprise the Pebble Partnership. “Today’s announcement represents an important milestone in our efforts to develop the Pebble Project consistent with our stated principles.”
“John shares our view that Pebble must go beyond compliance to ensure that the project can co-exist with clean water and healthy fisheries. He is also passionate about working in partnership with local communities to develop the project in a way that generates the greatest possible benefit for Alaskans.”
Mr. Shively was most recently employed as Vice President of Government & Community Relations for Holland America Line, where he served since 2002. He is a former Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (1995 – 2000), a former Chief of Staff to Governor Bill Sheffield and served 17 years with NANA Regional Corporation.
Shively was actively involved with NANA in obtaining the land selection rights for the area in which the Red Dog zinc mine is currently located. He and other NANA leaders negotiated the terms and the process by which the Red Dog mine was developed and permitted in partnership with Teck Cominco.
Born and raised in New York State, Shively moved to Alaska in 1965. He has served on numerous boards over the course of his career – including the Alaska Permanent Fund, the University of Alaska Board of Regents and, most recently, the Alaska Legislature’s Climate Impact Assessment Commission.
Since 2003, he has served as President of the Board of Directors for the Resource Development Council (RDC). In 1992, the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) honored him with the prestigious Denali Award for his contributions to the Native community. He is an avid bicyclist and has been a fundraising leader and participant in the American Lung Association’s annual Clean Air Challenge for the past five years.
“In my view, the Pebble Project presents a tremendous opportunity for the people of Bristol Bay and all Alaska,” he said. “The global significance of the mineral deposit at Pebble is without question. Our challenge now is to see if we can find a way to work together to develop the resource that’s consistent with the values and priorities of local communities, of Alaska Natives and the citizens of the state. And that’s precisely the challenge I’ve been brought on to address.”
Shively said that Alaska’s mineral resources can play a key role in the future of the state’s economy – particularly for rural communities. He added that what happens at Pebble may have a significant impact on the future of mineral development in Alaska.
“I happen to believe this is an important project and an important moment in the state’s economic history,” he said. “I’m going to do everything in my power to work with local people and all Alaskans to see if this project can be developed responsibly, and in a way that generates the greatest possible benefit for the state.”
Based in Anchorage, Alaska, the Pebble Partnership was formed in July 2007 as a 50-50 partnership between a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Anglo American plc and a wholly owned affiliate of Canadian mineral exploration company Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd.
The Pebble Partnership is currently exploring the potential to develop a globally significant copper deposit in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska, approximately 200 miles southwest of Anchorage. The Pebble Project is located on state land designated for mineral resource exploration and development.