SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada's Jericho Mine Stabilization Project has been green lit by the Nunavut Impact Review Board, along with a list of 63 conditions.

The terms on the Dec. 22 screening report include care of camp sites, winter road use, disturbance of caribou, muskoxen and migratory birds, as well as aircraft restrictions, water and fuel use and storage of hazardous material.

But the main perk of the report for Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) is that the project proposal will not have to wait on a formal review. The purpose of a Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) review is to assess the ecosystemic and socio-economic impacts of a project. The review is usually required under section 23 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.

"NIRB is of the view that the project proposal is not likely to cause significant public concerns, and it is unlikely to result in significant adverse environmental and social impacts," stated the screening decision report.

The defunct diamond mine is located 420 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, across the border in Nunavut. The federal government declared the mine abandoned in January 2014, after it was placed on temporary shutdown in October 2012 by then-owner Shear Diamonds (Nunavut) Corp.

Since then, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada's Contaminated Sites Division has been managing water drainage and management of fuel and hazardous waste.

A proposal for mine remediation was required from the federal government as the board determined that the intended stabilization of the mine was not within the scope of an existing and previously approved proposal.

The federal department submitted the proposal on Sept. 30.

The project includes removal of gravel pads and dams, as well as above-ground storage tanks coated in lead-based paint, hazardous waste, use of the Tibbit-Contwoyto Winter Road, use of heavy machinery and employment of regional residents.

The work will continue until March 31, 2018.

The report includes notes and recommendations from consultations in communities, government departments and private corporations.

The Government of Nunavut noted the area includes 49 protected archaeological sites. Working around the sites requires adherence to buffer zones and precaution taken in winter road routing.

The territory also noted that air traffic, especially at low altitudes, can cause stress to wildlife, and recommended maintaining an altitude of 610 metres except when approaching the airstrip, landing, or taking off.

The Tlicho Government recommended the federal government "suspend operations when large groups of caribou cow and calves are near the project during summer months as calves are still vulnerable to stresses."

The report also showed the interest of B.C. mining company, Crystal Exploration Inc., in having the project put on standby while it looked into the economic viability of re-opening the mine.

INAC turned down the offer stating its own assessment of the mine site included a look into commercial viability. The proponent stated that Jericho's resources were found to be of lower quality and smaller than other developments in the region, and current market conditions discouraged further development of the mine.

The federal government also stated that the company was not in a position to assume the liability of such a site, though it noted that base mine infrastructure like the truck shop, processing plant, and airstrip would be left intact.

"The department would be open to revisiting the re-commercialization of the mine at a future date after the site stabilization," stated the document.

The decision awaits approval from INAC Minister Carolyn Bennett.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.