Protesters opposing the proposed Pebble Mine rallied on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus Friday to make it known they don't have faith in the discussion process while a panel made up of supporters and opponents looked at issue of mining around the globe.
The Keystone Center, a non-profit group meant to generate dialogue, held a discussion with a cross-section of stakeholders from industry experts to mining watchdogs.
But Keystone has been criticized by anti-Pebble groups because the non-profit was hired by the Pebble Partnership to start the discussion between the mining industry and communities in Bristol Bay.
Friday's discussion largely focused on the difficulties Native communities face when working with mining companies.
It addressed the need for industry to engage locals, and for communities to ask for independent assessment of scientific researchers and look at how the company interested in their area has lived up to promises and standards elsewhere.
