Umingmaktuuq (Sep 06/04) - The Hope Bay submission from Miramar Mining Corporation had some key areas which were insufficient, said Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) executive director Stephanie Briscoe.

"It definitely wasn't a communication problem," she said. "They were aware the information was required."

Referred to as Doris North by the company, this area is targeted as the first construction phase on Hope Bay for Miramar with expansion towards other deposits possible in the future.

"We are disappointed that we were unable to obtain NIRB's support for advancing the Doris North project to the regulatory phase on the first attempt," said Tony Walsh, Miramar's president and chief executive officer. "We believe we provided a sufficient level of information for NIRB to make a positive decision."

However, the board came to a different conclusion and Miramar needs to address its concerns, he said.

Missing from the application were any alternatives to using Tail Lake as a tailing impound, as well as the Tail Lake water quality and water management strategy.

Information on the socio-economic impact assessment was also missing.

A wildlife impact proposal is expected from the company Dec. 31, and the timing of that might correspond with the Miramar's re-submissions on Doris North, said Briscoe.