QAMANITTUAQ/BAKER LAKE
A two-week hearing by the Nunavut Impact Review Board into the Kiggavik uranium project had an explosive start March 3 when the Baker Lake Hunter and Trappers Organization (HTO) tabled a motion to suspend the hearing.

A helicopter is used to bring in supplies to a proposed Kiggavik uranium project being advanced by Areva Resources Canada on land approximately 80 km west of Baker Lake. - photo courtesy of Areva Resources Canada Inc.

The project's proponent, Areva Resources Canada, has admitted it could take up to 20 years until the site is developed.

"This is about more than terms and conditions," stated Richard Aksawnee, the HTO's chairperson, in a written release dated March 3. "The big picture question, whether or not Kiggavik is a good idea, will be answered with this review. And a lot could change if Areva doesn't build it right away. Maybe the big picture will change in 10 years, maybe Kiggavik won't be a good idea. But if it's approved now, we can never go back."

In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported March 4, the day after the hearing started, that the French nuclear-engineering company Areva posted a loss of $4.8 billion Euro ($6.6 billion Cdn), with the company saying "it would sell assets, cut costs, reduce capital expenditure and begin talks with trade unions over possible layoffs."

Aside from the uncertainty caused by a devastated nuclear energy sector, opposition to the project is loud and clear from all Kivalliq hunters and trappers organizations, regional organizations and surrounding First Nations, including those in the Northwest Territories and Sakatchewan.

Areva's proposal would see one underground and four open-pit mines approximately 80 km west of Baker Lake, in between two caribou calving grounds - Beverly and Qamanirjuaq - and the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, considered the largest and most remote wildlife refuge on the North American continent.

The Baker Lake HTO's written submission notes that no steps have been taken to protect the calving grounds.

After failing to protect the grounds through Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.'s uranium policy in 2007, the HTO then turned to the Nunavut Planning Commission to have the areas protected by a Nunavut-wide land use plan.

"However, the planning process has stopped and the (commission) has taken the federal government to court over a lack of funding. There is nothing protecting the lands where the HTO wants mining and exploration banned," states Aksawnee.

Approving Areva's proposed $2.1-billion project without the protections in place means the door will be open for more uranium exploration and mining.

The Aqigiq HTO in Chesterfield Inlet and the Arviq HTO in Repulse Bay agree with this position and passed motions that mining not proceed without protections in place.

Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation participated as an intervener based on the fact "the development is proposed next to the boundary of one of the most important parts of LKDFN traditional territory and close to the calving grounds of caribou herds on which the people of Lutsel K'e depend for their livelihoods."

Their written submission refers to a "long-standing ban on uranium-related development in its territory based on past negative experiences with this particular industry."

The primary issue with the proposed Kiggavik project is the proximity of the project to caribou calving grounds, states Wildlife, Lands and Environment Department manager Peter Unger.

"A further problem for our community is the proximity of this project to the Thelon River and the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary. While the Lutsel K'e First Nation places heavy importance on the sanctity of the land within our territory, the Thelon is of particular significance. A proposed road crossing the Thelon River and development just outside the wildlife sanctuary are prospects that we are not comfortable with."

Finally, the First Nation also objects to the uncertain timelines on the basis of best practices.

"A valid assessment should be based on the best current knowledge available and much of the information used in this assessment will likely be outdated in 20 years, making either the assessment invalid (and our participation in this current assessment a waste of scarce resources), or allowing a major development to proceed based on outdated information."

Nunavummiut Makitagunarningit (Makita) is an incorporated not-for-profit society founded in 2009 and is a strong anti-uranium proponent. Its website tracks Areva's actions and activities across the globe. It also maintains a Facebook page highlighting opposition to the uranium and nuclear industry across the world, such as in Greenland and India.

Its spokeperson, Hilu Tagoona of Baker Lake, has taken a vocal stance against the Kivaggik project.

In its written submission, the society states: "Approval for Kiggavik should be withheld until Nunavut regulators implement a policy/planning framework capable of controlling induced development associated with the Kiggavik proposal. Kiggavik would be a 'basin opening' project, leading to increased exploration and mining for uranium in the Kiggavik area. Nunavut requires a strategy to protect critical caribou habitat and places of high cultural value before approving a basin opening project like Kiggavik."

The society also object to lack of timelines for construction and operation, lack of cumulative effects assessments for caribou, lack of significance thresholds for impacts on wildlife, and Areva's allegedly inaccurate portrayal of itself as a socially responsible enterprise, especially with regards to Areva's operations in many African countries.

The Kivalliq Wildlife Board, the Nunavut Wildlife Board, the Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board and the Government of Nunavut are all opposed to exploration and mining on caribou calving grounds, while several technical interveners have noted there is insufficient information in the final environmental impact statement for the project to be pushed through.

The Nunavut Impact Review Board refused to pass the motion on the first day to suspend the hearing taking place in Baker Lake. The hearing continues through until March 13.