JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) – Backers of a proposed copper and gold mine in southwest Alaska “tried to trick regulators by pretending to pursue a smaller project with the intention of expanding” after the project was approved, a report released Friday by a U.S. House panel says.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the report ahead of its release. The report makes several recommendations, including environmental review process changes to “ensure

holistic review of cumulative impacts of projects.’’

Mike Heatwole, a spokesperson for the Pebble Limited Partnership, which is seeking to develop the Pebb...