Baker Lake (Oct 30/06) - One new office may never get noticed in somewhere like Toronto or Vancouver, but it certainly stands out in Baker Lake - especially when it's tied to uranium.

Areva Resources Canada held a grand opening and community feast for residents after launching its new office in the hamlet last week.

The uranium mining and exploration company, formerly known as Cogema, will use the building as a resource centre to help explain to residents what type of exploration work the company is doing, said Areva spokesperson Alun Richards.

"A large part of the role is communications with local residents," he said.

Issues such as the environment, caribou migration and employment are all items he said the company is willing to discuss at any time.

"We want to try and build a long-term and mutually respective relationship," he said.

The company will also use the office as a logistics base for exploration targeted for 2007, he said.

Next year, Areva could potentially do airborne geophysical work over two areas - its Kiggavik and Sissons properties - located 80 km outside of Baker, said Richards.

The company was active in the region from 1993 to 1997, but ceased operations due to low uranium prices, he said.

While little is known about the company by residents, MLA David Simalak said that potential employment can't be overlooked.

"Any job, anywhere, is welcome," he said.

Baker Mayor David Aksawnee agreed the exploration sector provides key employment opportunities.

"People do need jobs," he said.

"It is something the community has to consider."