VANCOUVER, March 19 /CNW/ - Northern Dynasty Minerals Ltd. (TSX: NDM; NYSE AMEX: NAK) announces that the Pebble Limited Partnership ("PLP" or the "Pebble Partnership") Board of Directors has approved a US $59 million budget and work plan for 2009, with the potential for supplemental spending up to a total of US $70 million, to be spent towards completing a Prefeasibility Study and preparing the Pebble Project for permitting in 2010.

Pending the outcome of engineering trade-off studies currently underway, the PLP Board is expected to meet in August 2009 to finalize the Prefeasibility Study schedule and authorize additional program expenditures this year.

"The primary focus of the Pebble Partnership team in 2009 will be to produce the optimal project design, from an environmental, social and economic perspective," said Northern Dynasty President & CEO Ron Thiessen. "Not only does PLP expect to finalize a Prefeasibility Study, it will also be preparing to enter the state and federal permitting process under NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) in 2010.

"These are significant project goals and milestones, and the PLP Board of Directors has approved an equally ambitious budget and work program for 2009."

The Pebble Partnership was established in July 2007 as a 50:50 partnership between a wholly-owned affiliate of Northern Dynasty and a wholly owned subsidiary of Anglo American plc. To retain its 50% interest, Anglo American is required to provide $1.425 billion to advance the Pebble Project toward permitting and operations - including those funds authorized for expenditure in 2009. Northern Dynasty and Anglo American have equal representation on the PLP Board of Directors.

Approved budget expenditures at the Pebble Project in 2009 include:

-   a site investigation program to undertake resource drilling and
    support environmental studies;
-   an engineering program to finalize trade-off studies in preparation
    for the completion of a Prefeasibility Study;
-   an environmental study program to continue baseline data collection
    in key areas (e.g. hydrology, water quality, fish resources), and to
    compile and analyze collected data from previous years toward the
    completion of the Environmental Baseline Document in 2010;
-   a public affairs program to engage communities and project
    stakeholders, and to advance initiatives in the areas of workforce
    development, business development and public education; and
-   corporate and administrative costs.

These approved expenditures are expected to be supplemented by additional engineering and site investigation activities in the latter half of 2009, including geotechnical and metallurgical drilling.