Baker Lake (Mar 01/06) - Things are pretty quiet around Baker Lake right now.

"People are holding their breath to see what happens with Cumberland's Meadowbank gold project," said Mayor David Aksawnee.

Alec Amitnaq of Baker Lake has found work with Cumberland Resources on the Meadowbank gold project during the exploration phase as a core splitter. - photo courtesy of Gordon Davidson

The proposed mine will go before the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) for its final hearings March 27-31.

The board had identified 92 items that needed further explanation after the company submitted its environmental impact statement for public comment, but those holes have since been plugged.

"The company has submitted responses to all parties involved," said Karlette Tunaley, a NIRB technical advisor.

Word the hearings would occur this month was welcomed in Baker, where the hamlet council had feared the previously discussed April time frame wouldn't leave time for Cumberland to catch this barge season for shipping construction materials even if it collects all of the required approvals.

"The council is much more comfortable with the schedule now," said Aksawnee.

The board would have moved the dates even further ahead, but it was too busy still evaluating Miramar's proposed Hope Bay gold mine in the Kitikmeot. Aksawnee said he understands NIRB has many demands on its time and he is happy with the way it's juggling its attention.

In Vancouver, Cumberland now has an agreement in principle on its Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement (IIBA) with the Kivalliq Inuit Association and is also confident the March dates will work.

"If the permitting does come through we'll be able to start shipping this summer," said Joyce Musial, investor relations manager.

While exact terms of the IIBA or what the mine will mean for the people of the Kivalliq have not been released, Cumberland's exploration manager Gordon Davidson did offer some projections.

"During the two years of construction, there will be up to 350 jobs created," he said. "During the eight years of production, there will be up to 70 full-time jobs, mostly in Baker, providing $30 million in wages."

That's exactly why everyone around the hamlet is so anxious, said Aksawnee.

"Right now our unemployment is at about 60 per cent," he said. "If the mine opens it will mean a lot more jobs - more people working."

Hearing schedule

The final hearing schedule for Cumberland's Meadowbank gold project has been set: