About
the Chamber
The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines elects a Board of Directors
comprising of at least fourteen members. Executive positions
of the Board are: President, Vice-President Northwest Territories,
Vice-President Nunavut, Secretary and Treasurer. The Board of
Directors meets as required to carry out the objectives of the
organization. With advance notice and approval, guests are welcome
at Board Meetings.
Clerical
and management duties are carried out by two salaried employees;
the General Manager and the Office Manager. They operate a modest
office in the Scotia Centre in Yellowknife, open to the public
from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday. In addition, to general
office duties and functions, the General Manager acts as a point
of contact for the NWT & Nunavut Mining industry, researches
current issues, arranges meetings, and assists in organizing
special events including the annual Geoscience Forum, Mining
Week, and the Chamber's Annual General Meeting.
The NWT
& Nunavut Chamber of Mines, which continues to serve companies
operating in the NWT and Nunavut, has been the voice of the
Northern mining and exploration industry since 1967. Its goals
are to promote the industry and the North to Northerners, Canadians,
and the world at large. It continues to speak out on industry
concerns and issues. It advises governments, investors, the
media, schools and Universities, and the public on industry
positions and initiatives.
The Chamber
organizes the largest annual conference in the north, the Geoscience
Forum, which brings together members of the global geoscience
community who are working in the North, and also provides information
updates on other topics of concern to the industry. Recent sessions
have included mining and the environment and regulatory initiatives.
The Forum includes a trade show that allows companies serving
the mineral industry to show their wares and meet the decision
makers.
Mining Week in Yellowknife is a promotional event sponsored by the Chamber, held during June each year. This allows us to show the public what we do and how our industry benefits Northerners and Canadians in general. From the Miner’s Picnic to panning for gold, it’s a fun time with lots of events for young and old alike.
Back
to Top
Government
Liaison
The
NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines has the responsibility
and mandate to represent the interests and concerns of the
mining industry in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The Chamber continues to address the major issues facing our
industry, including: land alienation and single-use land withdrawals,
increasing public awareness of mining's substantial economic
and social roles in northern development, mineral policy and
legislation and environmental regulation, taxation issues,
the  long-standing
need for a broader base of infrastructure support, and devolution
of responsibility for mineral resources from the Federal to
Territorial government. Through public awareness initiatives
and dialogue with political leaders and senior officials,
the Chamber will continue to influence the environment for
mining in the best interests of our Members.
Back
to Top
Member
Services
The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines publishes several promotional
publications including Mining North, an annual full colour magazine,
and "Rock Solid" a video that explains the process of Northern
mining and exploration. Services to members include use of a
reference library, access to, and distribution of, government
publications, and updates on mining legislation, land claims
and other issues pertinent to the minerals industry and a career
video for youth called "Mine Your Business".
Back
to Top
History
of the Organization
The years leading up to 1967 saw increasing attention directed
towards government affairs in the Northwest Territories. As
both the mining industry and government became aware of the
need for a centre of contact, which could represent the views
of the mining industry, a group of interested individuals applied
for a Charter to form the Northwest Territories Chamber of Mines.
In February
1967 the original meeting was chaired by Charles Vaydik and
attended by several of Yellowknife's mining community. The Constitution
and by-laws were signed by Charles Vaydik, R.W. Spence, F.A.
McCall, Norman W. Byrne and Mark M. de Weerdt, and witnessed
by Carol Repchuk and Elizabeth R. Byrne.
In November
2000, the organization's Board of Directors and members voted
to change the Chamber's name to "The NWT & Nunavut
Chamber of Mines" to further express it's representation
of the mineral industry in both of our Territories.
Back
to Top
Objectives
As outlined in the Constitution, as subsequently amended, the
following are the Chamber's objectives:
a. To encourage, assist and stimulate the prosperous, orderly development
and growth of mining and mineral exploration, in all modes and
phases in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Territory of
Canada;
b. To consider, study and discuss matters of public interest
affecting the Northwest Territories and Nunavut and other parts
of Canada in relation to mining and mineral exploration;
c. To encourage, assist and undertake research and inquiries
into matters relating to mining and mineral exploration, particularly
in reference to the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Canada
as a whole;
d. To inform the public of matters relating to mining
and mineral exploration, particularly in reference to the Northwest
Territories, Nunavut and Canada; and
e. To cooperate with and seek the cooperation of all
persons, associations, corporations and authorities, both public
and private, to attain these objectives.
Back
to Top
|
