Kitikmeot (Jan 30/06) - The Miramar Mining Corporation and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association are set to look for gold together.

The two reached an agreement in principle to update the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) regarding the development of the Doris North gold mine project last week.

The project, stopped in 2004 by the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), is going for a final public hearing by the board this week in Cambridge Bay.

The board approval is crucial for the project, located five kilometres south of Roberts Bay, because the agreement can't be finalized until after the hearings, said Stephanie Briscoe, the board's executive director.

"We have no say into what goes into the benefits agreement," she said. "The board will (try to) issue a decision within 30 days from Friday, Feb. 3. (But) if they need more time, they can have more time."

Recommendations of the board could also alter the terms of the agreement, Briscoe said, but added "The board has no say in what the company and KIA do."

The board threw out the environmental impact assessment presented by Miramar in 2004, citing "significant" deficiencies, and describing the project as one "where the economic benefits are short lived, but the environmental impacts are not."

Nicole Copley, director of investors relations at Miramar, said the company is "confident" with the presentations it has worked on in view of the public hearing.

The KIA is also excited with the project.

"The Doris North project will be the first mine development in Canada to be located wholly on Inuit owned surface and sub-surface lands. We look forward to working with Miramar on IIBA implementation, which will enhance the economy of the Kitikmeot region and ensure Inuit receive training, employment and other benefits," said KIA president Donald Havioyak.

If the board approves, the agreement will be submitted to the minister of Indian and Northern Affairs who can approve or reject it.

"At that point, if he approves, we can start applying for various permits and licences that we need. If all goes well, like we hope it will, we are hoping to be in production close to the end of 2008," Briscoe said.