Rankin Inlet (Dec 18/06) - Starfield Resources is making a massive push to get out to Kivalliq communities to talk about the future.

The company has been doing exploration work on its Ferguson Lake Property since 1999 and recognizes it's time to bring residents up to speed, said Denise Lockett, Starfield community and government relations consultant.

Lockett has made trips to Rankin Inlet, Baker Lake and Arivat, as well as a visit to Iqaluit, since August in an effort to explain exploration activities at the copper-cobalt-nickel-platinum-palladium property.

"It's time to raise our profile - we're here and we're doing business," Lockett said.

Speaking with businesses, different levels of government and residents throughout the region, three points are usually raised, she said.

"People are saying they want jobs, and are concerned about wildlife and water," she said.

Starfield is receptive to those points and will continue to inform residents about education and training opportunities along with developments at the Ferguson Lake property, she said.

Job opportunities with any exploration company in the Kivalliq are always a plus for residents of Rankin Inlet, but any potential mine must be carefully planned, said Mayor Lorne Kusugak.

"We're well aware of the bad side of mining here," he said. "But now, people don't just come into town, dig a hole and leave."

With so many types of environmental assessments and reviews from government agencies, most mineral projects are much more environmentally sound than in the past, said Kusugak. Having a Starfield employee available to answer questions and speak about exploration work is also a good idea, but that individual should be bilingual, he said.

"A lot of elders are former miners," he said, adding many of them don't speak English.

As a community with a rich mining past, most residents embrace the idea a new mine and would like to see more jobs open up, he said.

"The excitement for exploration wore off a long time ago. Now people are anxious for jobs," he said.

Starfield Resources employed 60 workers this year at Ferguson Lake, where it drilled 110 core samples. One business in Rankin Inlet benefitting from all that work is M and T Enterprises.

The company does expediting and overland hauling work for Starfield. All of M and T's 35 employees have been involved in the effort either directly or indirectly, said Bev Walker, the company's office manager.

"They do hire locally, if possible," she said.

People in the community are aware of Starfield's ongoing exploration work and the company continues to purchase supplies in Rankin, she said. The mining firm's public relations push will continue in the new year with Lockett planning trips to Cambridge Bay, Whale Cove and Chesterfield Inlet.