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Nunavut celebrates mining

David Ryan
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Sep 18/06) - Working at home with a high-paying job in the mining sector is going to be a lot more common in the future for Nunavummiut. That's the message organizers are promoting during Nunavut Mining Week, which runs until Saturday.

The annual celebration of mining will again centre on Iqaluit with activities such as a "rockin" barbecue, a geology rock show and presentations on mining and exploration that will inform residents about opportunities in mining, said Michael Hine, Nunavut vice-president of the NWT/Nunavut Chamber of Mines.

"We hope to raise awareness about opportunities that can impact people's lives," he said.

Perhaps one of the most talked about potential projects is Baffinland Iron Mines' $1.4 billion Mary River iron ore deposit near the community of Pond Inlet, he said.

The project could potentially provide more than 500 jobs during operations, said Gordon McCreary president and chief executive officer of the company. McCreary, who was visiting Iqaluit, helped kick off Mining Week. "This project could have a long multi-generational life," he said.

A study released by Baffinland in May showed the Mary River deposit could support a mine for 34 years, yielding 10 million tonnes of ore per year. McCreary is also excited about the iron ore grade, stating it is "the hallmark of the project."

The iron ore in the Mary River deposit is rich enough that it wouldn't need to be processed, and could be shipped directly from a Baffin Island port to hungry global markets, he said.

There are also plans for a railway line from the deposit leading to a deepwater port. Two potential locations exist for the facility: one in Milne Inlet, 100 km north of the deposit, and the other in Steensby Inlet, 120 km south, he said.

With so much infrastructure and so many jobs possible in the future, McCreary said training will be a key component for Northerners."We're setting out to lay the foundation," he said.

While an Inuit impact and benefits agreement has yet to be negotiated, people in Pond Inlet remain optimistic about Mary River, said Mayor David Qamaniq.

"Up to this point, no one in the community has indicated they have any objections," he said.

Qamaniq said he hopes a strong deal for Inuit can be struck with Baffinland after talks begin next month.

Qamaniq remains hopeful Pond Inlet will end up as the home of Baffinland's head office, improved breakwater facilities and new airstrip.