JUNEAU -- An executive said the goal is to move toward permitting for a massive copper and gold prospect near the headwaters of Bristol Bay as early as this year.

Ken Taylor, a vice president with Pebble Limited Partnership, said the target for moving toward permitting is Alaska's next fiscal year. That begins July 1.

The Pebble Partnership is promoting the mine prospect. Taylor gave an update on prospect studies at the state Capitol Thursday.

Taylor also took aim at environmentalists, saying environmentalism has become big business. He said any big project faces litigation by and increased costs because of environmentalists.

The project is at the center of an ad war, with critics charging that it could fundamentally change the landscape and way of life in rural Alaska.