Regulators hammering out final details of Arctic Canadian mine
Once a final project certificate is issued, the mine can get licences and permits
Baffinland Iron Mines says it is ready to work with the 182 terms and conditions laid out in a draft certificate from the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
It’s taken more than four years to steer the Mary River project in Canada’s eastern Arctic territory of Nunavut through the board’s process, and once a final project certificate is issued, the company will move on to getting all the other licenses and permits it needs.
Regulators and company officials are meeting in Nunavut’s capital city of Iqaluit this week to go line by line over the terms the company will have to follow if the Mary River iron ore mine is to go ahead.
Greg Missal, with Baffinland, said he doesn’t expect any major changes.
“We consider the version that’s in front of us now to be more or less final. I think the purpose of this workshop is for people to talk about the terms and conditions and if there’s any small things that need to be highlighted for NIRB to take in to consideration before issuing the final project certificate.”
Baffinland will be required to measure the effect of climate change on the mine, and also minimize unwanted effects from explosives.
“We look at this as an opportunity to make sure we’re providing the clearest direction possible so that everyone starts monitoring on an equal footing,” said Ryan Barry, the executive Director of the Nunavut Impact Review Board.
Under one condition, the board says Baffinland should stop work if animals are endangered. At the meeting on Tuesday, regulators asked for a precise definition of ‘endangered’.
Nunavut government representatives say greater clarity is needed in some terms and conditions. For example, officials want more information to define Baffinland’s role in providing child care and helping with policing costs.
Paul Suvega heads the territorial government’s Environmental Assessment Team. He said they might request extra time to make more submissions.
“We always want to make sure that we’re getting total clarity, and it’s our job to request more time if we think we need it,” said Suvega.
Although it’s possible a final project certificate could be delayed, Nunavut Impact Review Board officials want to issue the final certificate within 30 days.
Related Links:
Feds give Mary River project green light, CBC News
Nunavut braces for massive Mary River mine, CBC News
Baffinland’s proposed iron ore mine at Mary River, CBC News
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