Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Jun 18/01) - A mining company nearly cancelled $900,000 worth of exploration projects due to delays in permitting.
Former Qikiqtani Inuit Association executive director John Amagoalik blamed the delays on the fact several employees quit the organization. He said they left, dissatisfied in the way they were treated by management. For example, he said the department that issues land use permits for work on Inuit-owned lands has been hindered because of a shortage of workers.
Mike Gunning, project geologist for Cominco Ltd., confirmed the six-month wait almost made him decide to spend the company's money elsewhere.
David Scott, chief geologist for the Canada-Nunavut Geoscience Office, experienced the same difficulties in obtaining permits to carry out mapping work.
Salamonie Shoo, the manager of the lands and resources department, confirmed the delay was caused by a lack of workers compounded by new employees still in training. He also said a six-week delay resulted when QIA moved offices this spring.
