Kivalliq still working hard to attract mining business
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Rankin Inlet (Dec 13/00) - Communities across Kivalliq are looking at ways to attract mining companies.
Much of the talk at the recent Mining Symposium 2000 in Rankin Inlet centred on training, education and future development, and a special panel spoke to mining executives about what communities are doing to attract industry.
Business representatives and community leaders from the majority of the seven Kivalliq hamlets addressed the executives.
Arviat economic development officer Carroll MacIntyre described Arviat as the gateway to Nunavut.
He said the hamlet is comprised of 2,200 mostly Inuit residents who pride themselves on being very close to the land.
MacIntyre said Arviat is fortunate in that it has enough goods and services to sustain a much larger population.
He cited Arviat's proximity to the railhead in Churchill as a big plus, as well as the coastal freighter service between the two communities in the summer.
"We have an overland bombardier service for freight in the winter and a solid infrastructure in tundra vehicles, some of which can transport up to 30,000 pounds," said MacIntyre.
"We also have a resident geologist who has really helped local people improve their prospecting skills and gain a better understanding of mining-industry needs."
Baker Lake's Peter Tapatai of Peter's Expediting told the gathering Baker was more than ready to meet any mining company requests.
He said Baker has been concentrating on better training its workforce.
"We've been working on projects to upgrade our community work force, such as offering a Class 5 driver program which we will integrate with a Class 3 course," says Tapatai.
"The hamlet has also been proactive in offering a pre-mining course because we see a lot of future potential for us in the mining industry."
