Uranium project public hearings finishing
Review board decision for potential Kiggavik mine project expected in late April
Michele LeTourneau
Northern News Services
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
BAKER LAKE
The future of several potential Kiggavik uranium mines is now in the hands of the Nunavut Impact Review Board after public hearings regarding the project wrapped up in Baker Lake last week.
The board will likely not make its final ruling before the end of April but the hearings, which sought input on Areva Resources Canada Inc.'s final environmental impact statement for the Kiggavik project are already being hailed as productive and satisfactory.
Despite the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization's (HTO) motion to suspend the hearing on the first day, chair Richard Aksawnee says the hearings, which took place March 3 to 14 in Baker Lake, were a success.
"I think we made it clear where we stand, as far as our terms and conditions if the project were to proceed with a project certificate," said Aksawnee.
"We're not against the proposed Kiggavik mine, we just want to make sure our land and wildlife are protected for our hunters."
Areva's proposal would see one underground and four open-pit mines about 80 kilometres west of Baker Lake, between caribou calving grounds and the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary.
Aksawnee said the project's lack of a start date remains a concern. "We're glad we were able to be part of the process," he said.
"We feel the HTO is supported by other organizations and interveners."
Areva's manager of Nunavut affairs, Barry McCallum said his company is satisfied the hearing went very well.
He said the meetings were well attended, inclusive, and respectful.
"There was an excellent discussion of many aspects of the proposed project," said McCallum.
"The nuclear industry, like most industries, is subject to highs and lows and we are currently in an industry low time.
"Areva's financial status is part of this. Looking ahead, nuclear power is expected to be a major contributor to base load power generation for the foreseeable future.
"Currently, 60 per cent of the world's people live in countries with nuclear generated electricity."
McCallum said the comprehensive assessment carried out concludes that ecosystem integrity will be maintained and the land-based economy not uncompromised by the proposed Kiggavik project.
He said the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary is located about 100 km to the west of the proposed project.
"It is upstream and upwind of the project, with no projectenvironment interactions near it."
"The final environmental impact statement assessed the project and cumulative effects of the proposed Kiggavik project on caribou, and concluded there would be no significant effects."
The Municipality of Baker Lake attempted to keep the record open for further submissions, as the community appears to still be divided, but board chair Elizabeth Copland announced the record closed.
With the record closed, NIRB staff and members were instructed not to answer media questions related to the file.
The board committed to preparing its report and associated recommendations within 45 days from the close of the hearing record.
At that time the report and recommendations will be submitted directly to federal Minister of Northern Development Bernard Valcourt and other responsible government ministers.
They have the option of accepting, altering or rejecting the board's submission.
"If the board determines the Kiggavik project should be allowed to proceed, the board would also recommend terms and conditions to be included in a project certificate that would, in the board's view, be required to appropriately manage and mitigate the potential socioeconomic and ecosystemic effects of the proposed project," said Copland.
