Erika Sherk
Northern News Services
Monday, July 16, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Hopes for a Bathurst inlet port and road are soaring higher than ever, with a recent push from Northern mines bringing it ever closer to becoming a reality.

An artist's depiction of what the estimated $135 million project would look like when completed. - photo courtesy of the Kitikmeot Corporation

Several mining companies operating in Nunavut and Northern NWT have stepped forward to promise funds and urge government to do the same.

The players include Sabina Silver Corporation, Zinifex Ltd., Tahera Diamond Corporation, Diavik Diamond Mines, and BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc.

"It's a real window of opportunity for development in the area," said Greg Missal, vice president of government and regulatory affairs for Tahera.

Tahera's diamond mine, Jericho, is in full operation in Nunavut. It is the territory's only operational diamond mine.

Presently, most of the mines have to depend on the Tibbitt to Contwoyto ice road to bring in supplies. The road's dependency on cold weather and its limitations of load capacity make it hard to count on, said Missal.

The lack of reliable transportation is holding back development in the area, he said.

"When no infrastructure exists it makes it very costly to do business."

Having the port would kick start all kinds of development and exploration in the area, he continued.

"It's going to benefit projects that otherwise may never be developed," he said.

The port and the road leading from it would mean that the mines could bring in supplies by sea, instead of being dependent upon the more vulnerable ice road.

Tahera has contributed money in the past and is prepared to put forth more in order to make the port a reality, said Missal.

Funds are also being sought from the federal government, from the creators of the ice road themselves.

The Winter Road Joint Venture partners are promoting the port as one of three possible alternatives to the ice road, which is being threatened by warmer winters and the rapidly increasing supply needs of the mines.

"We're running out of tricks," said Tom Hoefer, spokesperson for the Winter Road Joint Venture, which operates the ice road.

The diamond mines are essential to the Northern economies, he said, which is why government dollars are warranted.

"Do the aboriginal governments have the money? No. Does the NWT government have the money? No. So where do you go? The federal government," he said.

Charlie Lyall, president and chief executive officer of the Kitikmeot Corporation, which first put forth the idea of the Bathurst Inlet port and road about 15 years ago, said he is more hopeful than ever that the project will become a reality.

"I'm much more optimistic now," he said, "I'm just waiting for things to happen."

Beyond helping the diamond mines, the project would be a huge boon for Nunavut, he said.

Having the port and road would translate into more jobs, less reliance on the federal government, which pumps millions into the territory each year, and a lowered cost of living for the territory, he said.

"It would mean all kinds of positives for Nunavut," said Lyall.

The price tag for the proposed port and road is about $135 million right now, according to the Kitikmeot Corporation.

Professed support from the diamond mines will hopefully move things along, said Lyall.

"That's really positive," he said, of the mine support, "it's needed."

Miramar Mining Corporation, which is currently preparing its Doris North mine in the Hope Bay gold belt, is supportive of the project, according to Nicole Hoeller, director of investor relations.

"Anything that helps the region is a benefit," she said.

The Hope Bay belt is close enough to the water that having a port in Bathurst Inlet would not make a difference to their operations, but anything that would affect development significantly would be a positive thing for the region, said Hoeller.

Environmental studies are underway for the project right now, according to Lyall. When the studies are completed the Kitikmeot Corporation will submit them to the Nunavut Impact Review Board for approval, he said.