A Canadian company has hired two Alaska Natives to promote a plan to create a large mining district near four Alaska Native villages, The Anchorage Daily News reports.

Northern Dynasty Mines Inc. hired Trefon Angasan, the former corporate relations executive of Bristol Bay Native Corp., and Art Ivanoff to perform community outreach. Angasan said he's not trying to convince the villages one way or another about the plan but he is being paid as a contractor.

The villages of Nondalton, Ekwok, New Stuyahok and Koliganek have passed resolutions against the project. They are worried about the impact on fishing and hunting.

Northern Dynasty wants to create the state's largest mine and satellite mines near the villages. The site is near the headwaters of rivers that support the world's largest runs of sockeye and king salmon.

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Pebble prospect doesn't pan out for local villages (The Anchorage Daily News 3/22)
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