The Northern Minerals Industry

The north is one of the largest untapped mining areas in the world. Since the first mine went into operation in the 1930s, mining has been the economic backbone of the NWT & Nunavut providing a major chunk of our GDP and employing a significant portion of our people. Currently (2008) there are four producing mines in the NWT and Nunavut. Ekati, Diavik, and Snap Lake are diamond mines while the Cantung is a tungsten mine. Together these mines employ over 3,000 people and in 2007 they produced over $1.5 billion worth of minerals. Companies exploring for minerals spent over $500,000 in the same year. Mining is the north’s most important industry sector, and as new mines are discovered and developed, northerners look forward to a sustainable future in which mining plays a key role.

If you are mining or exploring for minerals in the Northwest Territories or Nunavut you should be a part of our organization. If you are engaged in servicing or supplying the companies who are active in the Northern mineral industry, the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines offers you a unique opportunity to participate in the North's primary industry. We offer you connections to the fast-paced, growing mineral sector in the north and can represent your interests with local, territorial and federal governments. The Chamber also provides connections to other jurisdictions and industrial sectors. Since 1967 the Chamber has promoted and represented the mineral exploration and mining industry. Its members include the North's producing mines, exploration companies, drilling and aviation companies, various suppliers, expediters, prospectors, and a wide range of consultants serving the industry. Its Board of Directors represents all sectors of this dynamic business. If you are engaged in any business in the North, you need to know what's going on in mining and exploration or you'll miss out on some exciting opportunities.

Who is the Chamber of Mines?

Since 1967 the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines has been a voice of the mineral industry in the north. The Chamber is funded by membership companies and organizations, is governed by a board of directors, and managed by a small staff. The Chamber acts as an advocate for mineral development and participates in numerous initiatives and projects that relate to mining and exploration. These include regulatory reforms, the Protected Areas Strategy, and mineral policy issues. The Chamber is a point of contact for any concerns or queries regarding land access, employment, and infrastructure development. The Chamber supports and helps to organize the annual Mining Week celebrations, the Geoscience Forum, and the Nunavut Mining Symposium.

Why Join the Chamber?

Membership in the Chamber will allow you to keep tabs on what is going on in the mineral industry. The Chamber publishes quarterly newsletters and also emails news items to members. If you are engaged in any business in the North, you need to know what’s going on in mining and exploration or you'll miss out on some exciting opportunities. All northern business, no matter how big or small, or what your focus, is directly or indirectly tied to a healthy and vibrant mining industry, a strategy that the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines promotes every day.

Who Can Join?

Any company or organization with an interest in the mineral industry can join the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines. Membership is quite eclectic and currently we have over 1,000 members. Chamber members include the north's producing mines, exploration companies, drilling and aviation companies, various suppliers, expediters, prospectors, and a wide range of consultants serving the industry.

Chamber of Mines Events

• Mining Week in Yellowknife is a promotional event sponsored by the Chamber, held during the second week of June each year. This allows us to show the public what we do and how our industry benefits Northerners and Canadians in general. Events include the annual mine rescue competitions, geology tours, BBQ picnic, and panning for gold. It's a fun time with lots of events for young and old alike.
• The Chamber organizes and hosts the largest conference ‘North of 60’ each November during Geoscience Forum. Geoscience is an opportunity for the industry to catch up on what the major mining projects are, what new ores are being discovered and where, what new technology is being developed, and what kind of issues the north is facing. Events include informative talks and meetings, a Trade Show, and the regular conference socializing (lots of wine and beer).

Committees, Organizations, and Associations

The Chamber participates in several government and non-government committees, and organizations and associations, including:

• Participation in the development and management of the NWT Protected Areas Strategy, bringing a more balanced approach to this government and community initiative,
• Participation in Aboriginal-Industry Engagement Forum (2009), a partnership with aboriginal communities to better communicate issues and opportunities in the mining industry,
• Regular coordination with other Canadian mining associations (MAC, PDAC, CMIF) and local business organizations (YK Chamber of Commerce, NWT Chamber of
• Member of the GNWT Industry, Tourism and Investment Minister’s Advisory Panel,
• Participation in annual Mines Minister’s Conference,
• Member of the Nunavut Mining Symposium Steering Committee,
• Founding member of the NWT Mine Training Society
• Logistical and administrative support for the NWT Mining Heritage Society, a group building a mining museum and geological interpretive centre in Yellowknife,

Industry Initiatives and Projects

Here are some of the projects and initiatives that the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines has been involved in, or currently involved in, on behalf of its members and the industry:

• Produced a video "Mining Now" (2006) which explains the exploration and mining industry in simple terms,
• Produced a booklet “Mining Makes a Difference” (2008) which explores the history of mining in the NWT and the important achievements of the industry for the environment and northerners,
• Industry submission to the Northern Regulatory Improvement Initiative (2008), the government initiative to help streamline the regulatory system in the NWT and Nunavut,
• Participation in Aboriginal-Industry Engagement Forum (2009), a partnership with aboriginal communities to better communicate issues and opportunities in the mining industry,
• Publishes a quarterly newsletter “Northern Mining News” which spreads industry news and views to business, government, schools and the general public,
• Published a geology tour map entitled “The Geology of Yellowknife’s Highways: From Edzo to Tibbitt Lake” (2009) to make our fascinating local geology more accessible to the public,
• Produced “NWT Diamonds” Report (2008), an economic analysis of the impacts that the diamond mines have on the NWT,
• Industry submission to the “Nunavut Land Use Planning and Assessment Act” (2009) a piece of legislation that will outline future land use regulations in Nunavut,
• Industry submission to the “NWT Species at Risk Act” (2009), a piece of legislation that will dictate how the GNWT can protect endangered species,
• Industry submission to the “Nunavut Fuel Storage Guidelines” (2008), a document that will dictate the storage and handling of petroleum products on crown lands in Nunavut,
• Helped coordinate the “Seasonal Overland Route Study” (2008), a road that could replace a section of the winter road to the diamond mines,
• Coordination of industry support for the Bathurst Inlet Port and Road Study and other infrastructure opportunities in the NWT and Nunavut.

In addition, Chamber staff regularly responds to queries about the industry from companies, schools, researchers, business and community groups, the media and the general public. We share our mailing lists, with permission, to certain groups looking to contact companies or individuals in the mining or exploration business.

You can be part of our team as we continue to build a healthy mineral industry in the north. Simply complete and return the membership registration form, and if you have questions, please give us a call.

Application Form
Version available as PDF.
Please fax us your completed form.

NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines
Box 2818
Yellowknife, NT
X1A-2R1
Phone: 867-873-5281
Fax: 867-920-2145
Email: nwtmines@ssimicro.com

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