Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Izok Lake (Aug 14/00) - More information is needed before committing cash.

That's the Government of Nunavut's position on a proposed road from Izok Lake to an ocean port at Bathurst Inlet.

"A lot of work still needs to be done," said Gord Mackay, director of Mineral, Oil and Gas, for the Department of Sustainable Development.

The project is currently in the pre-feasibility stage and DIAND has contributed $150,000 to help with research.

The GN has not yet pledged any financial support for the $120 million project which would open the Izok Lake base mineral deposit for mining. The deposit is considered the richest untapped base metal mineral deposit in North America.

"Our department supports the project," said Mackay, "but there are still lots of questions that need to be answered, like the environmental impact."

Mackay said the department will be gathering environmental information this fall.

Keith Peterson, secretary-treasurer with the Kitikmeot Corporation and mayor of Cambridge Bay, said he is happy with any interest shown by the Nunavut government.

"I'm pleased to hear the government is doing some work," said Peterson. "Any kind of work will contribute to a better understanding of this project."

"We're proceeding with a high degree of due diligence," he added.

Jim Stevens, senior transport planner for the Department of Community Government and Transportation, said the project is being taken seriously.

"We are developing a territorial transport strategy to be presented at the Legislative Assembly this fall," said Stevens.

"There are a lot of projects being explored, some will be discarded, but the Izok Lake project will probably not be one of them," he added.

Stevens said that his department could not make any substantial contribution to the project until the new transportation strategy was approved by the legislature this fall.

"It's one of a few potential projects that could provide potential economic opportunity for Nunavut," said Stevens.

The Kitikmeot Corporation has partnered with Toronto-based Inmet Mining -- which owns the stake on Izok lake -- as well as the GN and DIAND on the project.