Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 29/05) - The Nunavut Impact Review Board held its technical meetings for Miramar Mining Corporation's Hope Bay gold mine project in Yellowknife last week.

Representatives from Miramar, federal government departments, the Kitikmeot Inuit Association and hamlets, along with people from the four affected communities of Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, Cambridge Bay and Taloyoak, met for three days to discuss details of the project presented in the company's draft environmental impact study.

Miramar is proposing an underground gold mine located approximately 110 km southwest of Cambridge Bay and 75 km northeast of Umingmaktuuq, on its Doris North deposit.

The life of the mine is expected to be just two years, beginning in late 2007.

The company wants to use the proceeds of this initial operation to finance development of the Madrid and Boston deposits along the same massive Hope Bay gold belt.

Permitting and regulatory work for the gold mine is limited to the two-year phase, with further projects requiring a separate process.

Discussions last week centred around the disposal of tailings from the mine, shoreline erosion and water quality. Effects of the mine on wildlife and socio-economic conditions raised many questions for the proponent.

With such a short projected mine life, things like adult education programs on-site would be difficult, said Heather Duggan, vice-president of human resources with Miramar.

About 100 people from Nunavut will be needed to work at the mine, during a six-month construction phase and the two-year operation.

A commitment on the percentage of Inuit hires hasn't been made, but the company will make its "best effort."

"Right now in exploration in the area, we have about 28 per cent Inuit," she said.

With a skilled workforce shortage across the country, finding enough workers will be difficult, she said.

"Training would begin once the project gets the go-ahead and occur throughout the life of the mine," she said.

"Including women who may have never thought about a career in a mine."

Representatives from the four hamlets expressed concern about skilled workers leaving jobs with the communities and smaller companies who won't be able to compete with the wages offered by the mining company.

"Maybe an employee sharing agreement can be worked out where people can work at the mine and maintain current jobs," said Chris King, economic development officer with Cambridge Bay.

Some hamlet representatives are optimistic the mine will operate longer than the two-year life span.

"Miramar isn't likely to spend millions of dollars for such a short project," said Scotty Edgerton, senior administrative officer for Taloyoak. "I think other deposits will be developed and there will be lots of other mining in the future."

People need and want employment and there should be apprenticeships opportunities, he said.

Other concerns raised included methods to keep caribou and other wildlife from getting too close to the tailings, closure plans and the incorporation of more traditional knowledge. All agreed-upon commitments by interested parties and Miramar were submitted to the directors of the review board, along with recommendations for venues for the final hearings.

The board is expected to announce any decisions it reaches by next week.