Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Baker Lake (Nov 06/02) - The Meadowbank gold project near Baker Lake is one giant step closer to reaching production.

Cumberland Resources Ltd., which owns 100 per cent of the Meadowbank project, has announced the start of a full feasibility study.

The company has been exploring Meadowbank for the past seven years.

Feasibility is the most advanced study a company undertakes before making a production decision.

The study is estimated to take between 12 to 18 months and, if favourable, the next step for Meadowbank would be actual production.

Final selection of the international engineering firm to complete the study will be announced in mid-November.

Cumberland's interim president, Kerry Curtis, says production at the site would have a major impact on Baker Lake and surrounding areas in terms of local hiring.

"A new mine going into production can utilize some of the local workforce -- those trained or with skills applicable to that situation," says Curtis. "Having said that, there will be a period of time over several years where the mine's presence will stimulate people to gain the training and skills necessary to join the mine's workforce."

Curtis says starting training programs in preparation for the mine's opening would have a positive impact on the amount of local hires. He added the territorial and federal governments may take an interest in providing that training.

"I don't think it's fair to think the hamlet of Baker Lake could stimulate that level of training all on its own."

Curtis says the primary area of needed training is equipment operators.

"That would be a big factor because even during the construction phase there's a lot of equipment required to be operated out there. Some of those jobs can lead into the mine's production plan, so that would be at the top of my list for training."

Cumberland won't be sitting still while the feasibility study is being completed.

A new deposit found during drilling at the site this year may play a key role in future developments.

"That's important for us because it may become a deposit we can utilize in the feasibility study as part of the production scenario."