Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
Policies & IssuesOct 01, 2020
Pebble CEO Resigns as Long Fight Over Alaska Gold Mine Continues
Tom Collier stepped down as CEO of Pebble Limited Partnership over remarks he made about the state’s top politicians in secretly recorded tapes.
An aerial view of part of the Bristol Bay watershed in southwest Alaska. The CEO of an embattled gold mining project proposed for the region resigned after tapes surfaced of him talking about lobbying politicians and bragging about his friendship with the state’s governor.
Vancouver, B.C.—The head of the company that’s been battling for years to build a large copper and gold mine in Alaska has resigned over remarks he made about the state’s top politicians in tapes secretly recorded by an environmental group.
Pebble Limited Partnership CEO Tom Collier is no longer at the helm of the proposed Pebble Mine, a massive open-pit copper and gold mine in the Bristol Bay watershed in southwest Alaska that, if built, would be the largest mine in North America.
Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd., Pebble’s Canada-based parent company, has been pushing to build the mine for over a decade, claiming it’s a much-needed economic driver for the state, while environmentalists and Native Alaskans say it will damage the area’s pristine ecosystem.
A number of jewelry retailers came out against the mine almost immediately after plans were announced in 2008, vowing never to buy gold from Pebble if it was built.
The most vocal among them has been Tiffany & Co., which has taken out full-page newspaper ads to express its objections to the project.
Currently, Pebble is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on issuing the project a 404 permit under the Clean Water Act, the major federal permit needed to greenlight construction of the mine.
Nelli Williams, Alaska director for Trout Unlimited, a community of anglers that works to protect rivers and streams nationwide and runs the Save Bristol Bay campaign, said the Corps’ decision is expected in the next few weeks.
Collier’s remarks came to light last week in videos secretly recorded by members of a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group called the Environmental Investigation Agency and now known as “The Pebble Tapes.”
Posing as potential investors in the mine, EIA members got Collier and Ron Thiessen—who remains the CEO of Northern Dynasty—on tape talking about lobbying both state and federal politicians, and detailing a project that is much larger, and would be operational for much longer, than the 20-year mine life plan currently in front of the Corps.
In one video, Collier tells the faux investor about his allegedly close relationship with Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy.
“The governor I count as a friend. I did, in my home, the largest private fundraiser for the governor when he was running for office, and it’s not unusual for the governor to call me … I’ve flown down to Juneau, where the
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
governor’s mansion is, and had private dinners with him in the mansion. So the governor and I are pretty good friends.”
In its statement on Collier’s resignation, Northern Dynasty claimed Collier “embellished” both his and the company’s relationships with politicians and senior representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers but apologized for the content of the recordings.
“The unethical manner in which these tapes were acquired does not excuse the comments that were made, or the crass way they were expressed,” Thiessen said. “On behalf of the company and our employees, I offer my unreserved apology to all those who were hurt or offended, and all Alaskans.”
He also pushed back on claims the tapes prove Pebble has a defined plan to expand the life of the mine beyond 20 years.
“What we have said consistently, and is reinforced in the ‘Pebble Tapes,’ is the operator of the Pebble mine may decide at some point in the future to propose additional phases of development, but there exists no formal plan to do so today,” Thiessen said, adding that adding extension or expansion of the project would require additional permitting.
But Williams, with Trout Unlimited and Save Bristol Bay, said the tapes make it clear that Pebble is planning a mine that goes beyond the 20 years proposed in its application to the Corps. The permitting process should be looking at the potential impacts of a 180-year mine, not a 20-year mine.
She said both Pebble Limited Partnership and Northern Dynasty Minerals have been trying to deceive Alaskans for years on this issue.
“Nothing about their dishonestly has changed with Tom Collier resigning,” Williams said, calling his resignation a “distraction from the heart of the issue.”
The tapes can be heard on the Environmental Investigation Agency’s website.
In its statement on Collier’s resignation, Northern Dynasty claimed Collier “embellished” both his and the company’s relationships with politicians and senior representatives of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers but apologized for the content of the recordings.
“The unethical manner in which these tapes were acquired does not excuse the comments that were made, or the crass way they were expressed,” Thiessen said. “On behalf of the company and our employees, I offer my unreserved apology to all those who were hurt or offended, and all Alaskans.”
He also pushed back on claims the tapes prove Pebble has a defined plan to expand the life of the mine beyond 20 years.
“What we have said consistently, and is reinforced in the ‘Pebble Tapes,’ is the operator of the Pebble mine may decide at some point in the future to propose additional phases of development, but there exists no formal plan to do so today,” Thiessen said, adding that adding extension or expansion of the project would require additional permitting.
But Williams, with Trout Unlimited and Save Bristol Bay, said the tapes make it clear that Pebble is planning a mine that goes beyond the 20 years proposed in its application to the Corps. The permitting process should be looking at the potential impacts of a 180-year mine, not a 20-year mine.
She said both Pebble Limited Partnership and Northern Dynasty Minerals have been trying to deceive Alaskans for years on this issue.
“Nothing about their dishonestly has changed with Tom Collier resigning,” Williams said, calling his resignation a “distraction from the heart of the issue.”
The tapes can be heard on the Environmental Investigation Agency’s website.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
