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This map outlines Nuna Logistics' current vision for the Bathurst Inlet port and road project. Gilroy said the permitting process should be done by fall 2008, paving the way for construction the following year. - photo courtesy of Bob Gilroy

Nunavut port closer to reality

Guy Quenneville
Northern News Services
Published Monday, November 19, 2007

NUNAVUT - The project manager behind the proposed Bathurst Inlet port and road project is "cautiously optimistic" the lengthy permitting process will be completed by fall 2008.

"We are currently in the process of writing the draft environmental impact statement," said Bob Gilroy of Nuna Logistics, the Inuit-owned company charged with developing the project. "We're anticipating that will be complete this month."

Nuna Logistics plans to build a port at Bathurst Inlet, capable of housing crucial mining supplies (like fuel) shipped by water, and an accompanying all-weather road heading southward to Contwoyto Lake, which mining companies could use to transport goods to various deposits in the Slave geological province.

The project is hardly a done deal - it still needs the approval of the Nunavut Impact Review Board and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs - but it's a lot closer now than it was a few years ago, Gilroy said.

Provided the project does not encounter any unexpected setbacks, construction could begin in fall 2009, according to Gilroy.

The current cost estimate for the project is about $270 million.

Tom Hoefer, a spokesperson for Diavik Diamond Mines, said the project - which would service an area of "high mineral potential" - has regained steam at just the right time.

"These roads couldn't be built into these mines in the past, and the main reason is cost," said Hoefer. "There just wasn't enough money in copper and zinc and gold. That's changed tremendously. The commodity prices are way up because of China and India and Brazil driving huge demand in the world."

As for Diavik's own plans, choosing to use the proposed road to service the Diavik mine would depend on a cost comparison with shipping fuel and materials from Alberta, said Hoefer.

"Are we interested in alternative transportation? You betcha. And if the Bathurst Inlet port and road was that, and it was the right price, would we be interested? You bet."

One company that stands to especially benefit from the project is Zinifex Canada, which is considering using the road to transport concentrate from Izok Lake, a deposit at the north end of the region containing zinc, copper, lead and silver that could potentially go into production in 2014.

"We have a couple different (transportation) options that we're studying right now," said Andrew Mitchell, manager of environmental affairs for Zinifex. "One of them is the (Bathurst) project, which is definitely a serious proposition for us.

"We're comparing (the Bathurst project) to other routes that go north towards the Coronation Gulf (in the Northwest Passage.)"

Mitchell said Zinifex expects a decision will be made early in the new year.

The Bathurst Inlet port and road project will provide an alternative route to the Tibbitt to Contwoyto ice road, which is becoming increasingly vulnerable due to climate change.

"The ice road has limits on it as to the amount of material you can transport over it annually," said Gilroy.

That was made very clear in 2006, when warmer temperatures reduced the road's operating window and left mining companies to ship supplies by air.

"The cost of flying in materials was completely extraordinary," said Gilroy. "Nobody wants that to happen again.

"The (Bathurst) project doesn't replace the winter road, but it does complement it."