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KANGIQLINIQ/RANKIN INLET
An all-weather road from Rankin Inlet to Agnico-Eagle's Meliadine gold project has passed another hurdle on its way to being constructed.

M&T's Hamish Tatty points out the route of the Agnico-Eagle road to the Meliadine gold project to his executive assistant, Damian MacInnis, right, this past week in Rankin Inlet. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

Approval for the road's first phase was given this past week by the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB).

Agnico-Eagle expects to obtain the remaining licences and approvals within the next week or two.

The 23.8-km road from the Char River connection to the Meliadine site will cost about $21 million.

Rankin Mayor Pujjuut Kusugak said the decision was a good one for the community.

He said it shows the government is listening to the people of Rankin.

"The majority who attended the community consultation meetings supported the road and were waiting for it to be allowed to proceed," said Kusugak.

"The project provides the opportunity for employment and future training.

"It will allow the year-round transport of fuel, equipment and supplies.

"That's a necessity for continued exploration to ensure the mine does go forward."

Kusugak said people in the community have to realize this is not going to be a public road at this point.

He said the original proposal intended for it to be open to the public at this phase, but that's not the way things turned out.

"Agnico-Eagle had to change its proposal, and having the road closed to the public at this time is a concession we have to make if we want to have a road built and, eventually, a working mine here.

"It doesn't, necessarily, mean there will be zero public access.

"There may be ways around some of that as long as people understand there's going to be restrictions.

"We'll be exploring ways for people to be able to use the road when needed."

Kusugak said work on the road is expected to start this coming month.

He said while he doesn't have exact numbers, it's his understanding there will be 50 per cent local employment on the project.

"They're still looking to recruit more employees and, I understand, a few more heavy-equipment operators are needed.

"There's no doubt our community is going to benefit economically from the project moving forward."

There's still the issue of public opinion on economic benefit versus mining the land in regards to Meliadine.

Kusugak said that's always a tough decision.

He said giving the land is the sacrifice Inuit must make in order for people to get training and employment.

"It's not an easy thing to go through because a lot of people are very attached to the land, and there's certain groups of people who don't want this to go through.

"But, time and again, we've heard people say Rankin started as a mining community, which provided so much employment for people who came here, and many families have stayed.

"A mine would give our children and grandchildren opportunity, and our family members could work for themselves and not have to depend on other people.

"So it's also about building pride for the members of our community."

NIRB executive director Ryan Barry said Phase Two of the road would provide unlimited public access.

He said Agnico-Eagle will include that with the main review of the entire Meliadine project.

"Basically, after its first proposal, the company went back to the drawing board and redesigned its application so it was applying for the road in two phases," said Barry.

"It's received approval from our board for the first phase, which is the construction of an all-weather link from Rankin to the exploration site for the purpose of supporting the ongoing exploration of bulk sampling.

"This would have restricted access to that road for project personnel.

"The second phase, and having that road kept there for a full mine life of 14-plus years as well as unrestricted public access, is still on the table as part of the overall review process."

Barry said one of the big issues for NIRB, in regards to Phase Two, is the fact this would be the first road to allow full open access to the public into a recreational area while also having mine traffic 24/7.

He said that's something NIRB feels has to be fully assessed and requires a lot more information.

"The information can be provided during the environmental impact statement and the overall review process.

"A lot of the review process is driven by the company itself, but you can, realistically, expect about 18 months, or so, before the process is concluded.

"It's very clear the community supports the concept of that road.

"But given NIRB's mandate for environmental and social protection, the larger issue of how to put in a road and keep it safe for all users is huge and must be done appropriately."

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