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KIVALLIQ
Areva Resources Ltd. concluded its latest tour of the Kivalliq this past week.

Tommy Bruce reads one of the new displays on terrestrial wildlife during Areva Resources Ltd.'s stop in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The company visited all seven communities to seek input and update residents on its Kiggavik uranium project near Baker Lake.

The meetings included displays most had seen before, but they also featured a new series emphasizing Areva's determination to protect the air, water and underwater life, as well as to respect the land, coexist with wildlife, and protect workers and the public.

Similar tours were conducted in 2008 and 2010 on the project proposal.

Manager of Nunavut affairs Barry McCallum said this time it was in support of Areva's draft environmental-impact statement, which was accepted this past April.

He said the new displays explain what Areva believes areas of impacts to be.

"We want input on what people think the impacts should be, so we can include it in our final environmental-impact-review statement," said McCallum.

"It's all about communication and consultation."

Communities closest to Kiggavik hosted two meetings, while the others hosted one each.

The tour began with two nights in Baker Lake, then moved to Coral Harbour, Repulse Bay, Chesterfield Inlet, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove before wrapping up in Arviat.

McCallum said there was no negativity in Baker, and the group was met warmly in the other communities.

He said the meetings were comfortable and appeared to be quite favourable towards the project.

"The Baker meetings were the most comfortable we've had in the community to date.

"There is concern in Chester over marine mammals going away or changing their habits because of noise from barging and, as a community, they don't see a whole lot of benefit in exchange for that.

"And we still get questions about radiation and how the uranium will be used."

The Areva group had, at least, one department vice-president at every stop.

McCallum said how the company determines "significance" is a very important part of an environmental assessment.

He said first Areva looks at possible impacts and what it can do to minimize them.

"Then we look at what's left and decide whether it's significant, but people have to agree with our assessment.

"If we have one idea, but the community has another, that's not where we want to be.

"We received input on what significance is during previous meetings, and we put that in the draft environmental-impact statement.

"At the end of the day, we want to be on the same page."

McCallum said the majority of comments directed at the group concerned local jobs and training.

He said others wanted to know when the mine might start and how long it will last.

"But, the environment issues are still prominent.

"Our vice-presidents answered questions on the company and safeguards in the uses of uranium.

"And we had a very solid team of scientists with us.

"Overall, the meetings seemed to go extremely well."

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