Baker Lake (July 26/06) - A potential gold mine outside of Baker Lake inched closer to getting the go-ahead from environmental regulators last week.

The Nunavut Impact Review Board could decide within the month the future of the Meadowbank gold mine after the regulator announced it was close to closing formal hearings last week.

Political leaders, eager to see the jobs that would come with the mine, have been critical of the environmental board, which they claimed was dragging its heels.

Regulators were in Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake and Chesterfield Inlet last week to update residents on the review process, which began about two-and-a-half years ago.

Board members decided in March to delay a final decision until they received more information from the company behind the mine, Cumberland Resources, said Leslie Payette.

The Meadowbank mine would be located about 70km from Baker Lake. The project, which the company said would pump tens of millions into the regional economy, would include a roughly 110km all-weather road from Baker Lake.

Regulators wanted to know more about the environmental impact of the road and whether Baker residents would be allowed access, Payette said. The company plans to restrict access to the road with a series of gates and once the mine is decommissioned, Cumberland plans to tear apart the surface and demolish the bridges, although another group could apply to take over the road.

The review board could close formal hearings this week. After that, members have a month to make a recommendation to the federal department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

And while regulators said the department has never rejected a recommendation, it could be months before the mine gets the go-ahead.

Officials from Baker Lake were not available for comment before press time.