Diamond mine clean up gets go ahead
Beth Brown
Northern News Services
Monday, January 9, 2017
KUGLUKTUK
Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada's (INAC) Jericho Mine Stabilization Project has received a green light from the Nunavut Impact Review Board, (NIRB) along with a list of 63 conditions.
The terms ofthe Dec. 22 screening report include care of camp sites, winter road use, disturbance of caribou, muskoxen and migratory birds, as well as aircraft restrictions, water and fuel use and storage of hazardous material.
But the main perk of the report for INAC is that the project proposal will not have to wait on a formal review.
The purpose of a NIRB review is to assess the ecosystemic and socio-economic impacts of a project.
The review is usually required under section 23 of the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.
"NIRB is of the view that the project proposal is not likely to cause significant public concerns, and it is unlikely to result in significant adverse environmental and social impacts," stated the screening decision report.
The defunct diamond mine is located 260 kilometres southeast of Kugluktuk. INAC declared the mine abandoned in Jan. 2014, after it was placed on temporary shutdown in Oct. 2012 by then-owner Shear Diamonds (Nunavut) Corp.
Since then, INAC's Contaminated Sites Division has been managing water drainage and management of fuel and hazardous waste.
A proposal for mine remediation was required from INAC as NIRB determined that the intended stabilization of the mine was not within the scope of an existing and previously approved proposal.
The project includes removal of gravel pads and dams, as well as above ground storage tanks coated in lead-based paint, hazardous waste, use of the Tibbit-Contwoyto Winter Road, use of heavy machinery and employment of regional residents.
The work will continue until March 31, 2018.
The report includes notes and recommendations from consultations with stakeholders in communities, government departments and private corporations.
The GN noted that the area includes 49 protected archaeological sites. Working around the sites requires adherence to buffer zones and precaution, taken in winter road routing.
The territory also noted that air traffic, especially at low altitudes can cause stress to wildlife, and recommended maintaining an altitude of 610 metres except when approaching the airstrip, landing, or taking off.
The report also showed the interest of B.C. mining company, Crystal Exploration Inc., in having the project put on standby while it looked into the economic viability of reopening the mine.
INAC turned down the offer stating its own assessment of the mine site included a look into commercial viability.
The proponent stated that Jericho's resources were found to be of lower quality and smaller than other developments in the region. Current market conditions discouraged further development of the mine.
The decision awaits approval from INAC minister Carolyn Bennett.
