Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Arctic Bay (Jan 21/02) - Nanisivik Mine will close its doors in nine short months, and Arctic Bay residents want to make sure their interests are protected.

Joanasie Akumalik, the mayor of the North Baffin hamlet, said last Thursday residents are extremely worried about environmental, employment and infrastructure matters.

Perhaps the top priority for Arctic Bay residents is the zinc mine's tailings pond.

Tailings are the fine remnants of rock once the ore has been extracted. They are pumped into ponds where the solids settle out of the liquid. The remaining water is usually treated to remove toxic chemicals.

Akumalik said people are concerned about the level of contamination at the tailings pond and its effect on the marine food supply.

"A number of residents indicated the tailings pond is contaminated and might flow into the ocean," said Akumalik. "That will affect our wildlife."

Sustainable Development Minister Olayuk Akesuk also expressed concern over the tailings pond following a public meeting he attended in Arctic Bay earlier this month.

He said a working group of government departments was formed to ensure Nanisivik Mine does "a good job" during the closure of the mine.

Nanisivik general manager Bill Heath tried to allay environmental concerns and said community members were given the chance to ask questions at a second community meeting held last Thursday night.

Mine personnel met with hamlet members and shared with them a draft of their closure and reclamation plan.

As for Akumalik's concern about securing jobs for his community during the closure and cleanup phases, Heath said until they finalize the plan, it is premature to comment on jobs.

"Until then, it's difficult to determine what jobs are available and who will get the jobs," said Heath. "But it is something we're sensitive to."

Heath also said mine officials are aware that Nunavummiut are concerned about the fate of the infrastructure. An airport, a pool, a restaurant, a school and a port and dock are all in place at the mine.

Heath said several communities are interested in the buildings and he suggested it would be a "travesty" if they are bulldozed.

Akumalik said residents want the site to be used for trades training, a tourism centre or a prison.

The mine is expected to submit closure and reclamation plans to the Nunavut Water Board for approval on Feb. 28. Feb. 28.