31 January 2022
MARY RIVER, NU, January 31, 2022 – Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (“Baffinland” or “the Company”) filed its closing statement to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (“NIRB”) in support of the Company’s proposed Phase 2 expansion of the Mary River Project on January 24, and it is now publicly available.
Baffinland would like to thank the NIRB for conducting an extensive and comprehensive review of the Phase 2 Project Proposal, and the Inuit residents and Nunavummiut from the Qikiqtani Region who participated in the review process. The Company is especially grateful to the communities of the North Baffin, particularly the five most directly impacted communities of Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Igloolik, Pond Inlet, and Sanirajak.
Please see the appendix at the end of this press release for details of the proposed expansion along with facts about the Mary River Project.
Since 2015, when Baffinland first proposed the Phase 2 expansion, the Company has actively engaged with impacted communities and other stakeholders, holding over 250 formal engagements and thousands more informal discussions. The Company has made fundamental and comprehensive changes to the project design and mitigations in direct response to feedback from Inuit in the impacted communities prior to and during the NIRB’s extensive review process, resulting in a carefully considered and improved Phase 2 Project Proposal that addresses the vast majority of community concerns to the fullest extent possible.
The Inuit-centered mitigations that have been developed are enforceable, detailed, specific, and unique to North Baffin and the explicitly stated needs and preferences of Inuit residents. They reflect a profound commitment to direct Indigenous involvement in operation decision making that, to Baffinland’s knowledge, exceeds that of any major industrial project in Canada. This, taken together with the mitigations that have been developed based on the best available western science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (“IQ”), means Inuit can count on robust protection against significant adverse effects from mining and substantial benefits from the Phase 2 expansion.
If Phase 2 is approved, royalties to Inuit are conservatively estimated at $2.4 billion based on the current size of the known mineral resource at the Mary River Project. It is hard to overstate the potential benefits that can be generated from the project for the long-term benefit of Inuit as the mineral resource expands in the future through ongoing exploration and development. Communities will experience increased employment and significant direct investment, including annual payments to support harvesting and wildlife programs, investment in needed infrastructure, and funding for daycares and skills training centers in each of the five impacted communities.
The following list highlights some of the notable mitigations and actions Baffinland has undertaken to resolve Inuit concerns along with some of the benefits that Phase 2 will provide:
In addition to project design mitigations, Baffinland has agreed and committed to a wide range of management practices relating to operations, monitoring, ongoing assessment of potential effects, and adaptive management to avoid and mitigate potential adverse environmental and socio-economic effects. In creating these commitments, the Company has listened and responded to invaluable feedback from the QIA challenging the Company to be more adaptive in the depth and form of its commitments. Of the 259 commitments currently included on the Commitment Lists, 49 have been made since January 2021, which are direct commitments to the impacted communities. These commitments cover key areas that include: additional dust monitoring and mitigation; Arctic Char and caribou monitoring; marine mammal and acoustic monitoring; community approval of the IQ Management Framework; funding for harvester support and equipment; in-community training; and infrastructure funding in support of community growth goals.
Throughout the NIRB review process, it was clear that there was a wide range of Inuit views and perspectives regarding the Phase 2 expansion. This complexity and diversity of views is reflected in the written and oral evidence that was presented to the NIRB, with some individuals speaking passionately about their support for the project, while others shared their concerns. Treating Inuit as having a universally held view on Phase 2 would not honour and respect the many individual Inuit and Inuit groups that dedicated time and effort to participate in the NIRB process. All of these voices should be heard, respected, and considered, and weighted together with all of the evidence presented to the NIRB.
One clear consensus that did emerge among all participants was that Phase 2 must proceed in a manner that is protective of the environment and wildlife. Baffinland wholeheartedly agrees.
The Phase 2 Expansion Project will provide tremendous benefits to the impacted communities, Nunavummiut, Nunavut, and all of Canada. Baffinland understands that Phase 2 must be implemented in a way that is inclusive and respectful. Expansion of Mary River cannot come at the expense of the environment, and local Inuit must be active participants in all aspects of the project. Baffinland believes it has put forward a project proposal for Phase 2 that ensures this balance is met.
The majority of the Hamlets of the impacted communities (Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, and Sanirajak) have now confirmed to the NIRB that, in their view, the Phase 2 Proposal should be approved. Baffinland is humbled by these expressions of support and trust. The Company is committed to working with all of the impacted communities, regardless of their views on Phase 2.
Baffinland respects that the Phase 2 Proposal review has been complex and lengthy and includes a significant volume of information for the NIRB to consider in making its decision. A timely decision on Phase 2 is critical to the Company’s ongoing operations, both near and long-term, and the Company encourages the NIRB to issue its recommendation report in accordance with the 45-day timeline set out in the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.
Baffinland appreciates the responsibility and privilege it has to operate on Inuit owned lands, and strives to implement Inuit values in its operations every day. The Mary River Project has the long-term ability to help change Nunavummiut lives for the better. The Company believes there is overwhelming evidence before the NIRB that Phase 2, if approved, will create economic prosperity while protecting the environment and building stronger communities.
Please click here for the Executive Summary of the Company’s final NIRB statement on Baffinland’s website. Please click here for the full statement.
Jointly owned by The Energy and Minerals Group and ArcelorMittal, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation operates a high-grade iron ore mine located on Baffin Island, Nunavut. The Mary River Mine produces the highest grade of direct shipping iron ore in the world. Baffinland is committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner that benefits all stakeholders. Learn more at www.baffinland.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Baffinland’s Phase 2 expansion plan is the mechanism to create a sustainable future for our business and for communities. Without Phase 2, the Company’s future is uncertain. Our trucking operation is coming to the end of its useful life, there is no economic case for replacing the trucks, and we need a larger production profile to effectively compete on a global scale. The Phase 2 Project Proposal that has been presented to the NIRB and Canada’s Minister of Northern Affairs for approval includes the following activities and works:
MARY RIVER, NU, January 31, 2022 – Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (“Baffinland” or “the Company”) filed its closing statement to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (“NIRB”) in support of the Company’s proposed Phase 2 expansion of the Mary River Project on January 24, and it is now publicly available.
Baffinland would like to thank the NIRB for conducting an extensive and comprehensive review of the Phase 2 Project Proposal, and the Inuit residents and Nunavummiut from the Qikiqtani Region who participated in the review process. The Company is especially grateful to the communities of the North Baffin, particularly the five most directly impacted communities of Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Igloolik, Pond Inlet, and Sanirajak.
Please see the appendix at the end of this press release for details of the proposed expansion along with facts about the Mary River Project.
Since 2015, when Baffinland first proposed the Phase 2 expansion, the Company has actively engaged with impacted communities and other stakeholders, holding over 250 formal engagements and thousands more informal discussions. The Company has made fundamental and comprehensive changes to the project design and mitigations in direct response to feedback from Inuit in the impacted communities prior to and during the NIRB’s extensive review process, resulting in a carefully considered and improved Phase 2 Project Proposal that addresses the vast majority of community concerns to the fullest extent possible.
The Inuit-centered mitigations that have been developed are enforceable, detailed, specific, and unique to North Baffin and the explicitly stated needs and preferences of Inuit residents. They reflect a profound commitment to direct Indigenous involvement in operation decision making that, to Baffinland’s knowledge, exceeds that of any major industrial project in Canada. This, taken together with the mitigations that have been developed based on the best available western science and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (“IQ”), means Inuit can count on robust protection against significant adverse effects from mining and substantial benefits from the Phase 2 expansion.
If Phase 2 is approved, royalties to Inuit are conservatively estimated at $2.4 billion based on the current size of the known mineral resource at the Mary River Project. It is hard to overstate the potential benefits that can be generated from the project for the long-term benefit of Inuit as the mineral resource expands in the future through ongoing exploration and development. Communities will experience increased employment and significant direct investment, including annual payments to support harvesting and wildlife programs, investment in needed infrastructure, and funding for daycares and skills training centers in each of the five impacted communities.
The following list highlights some of the notable mitigations and actions Baffinland has undertaken to resolve Inuit concerns along with some of the benefits that Phase 2 will provide:
In addition to project design mitigations, Baffinland has agreed and committed to a wide range of management practices relating to operations, monitoring, ongoing assessment of potential effects, and adaptive management to avoid and mitigate potential adverse environmental and socio-economic effects. In creating these commitments, the Company has listened and responded to invaluable feedback from the QIA challenging the Company to be more adaptive in the depth and form of its commitments. Of the 259 commitments currently included on the Commitment Lists, 49 have been made since January 2021, which are direct commitments to the impacted communities. These commitments cover key areas that include: additional dust monitoring and mitigation; Arctic Char and caribou monitoring; marine mammal and acoustic monitoring; community approval of the IQ Management Framework; funding for harvester support and equipment; in-community training; and infrastructure funding in support of community growth goals.
Throughout the NIRB review process, it was clear that there was a wide range of Inuit views and perspectives regarding the Phase 2 expansion. This complexity and diversity of views is reflected in the written and oral evidence that was presented to the NIRB, with some individuals speaking passionately about their support for the project, while others shared their concerns. Treating Inuit as having a universally held view on Phase 2 would not honour and respect the many individual Inuit and Inuit groups that dedicated time and effort to participate in the NIRB process. All of these voices should be heard, respected, and considered, and weighted together with all of the evidence presented to the NIRB.
One clear consensus that did emerge among all participants was that Phase 2 must proceed in a manner that is protective of the environment and wildlife. Baffinland wholeheartedly agrees.
The Phase 2 Expansion Project will provide tremendous benefits to the impacted communities, Nunavummiut, Nunavut, and all of Canada. Baffinland understands that Phase 2 must be implemented in a way that is inclusive and respectful. Expansion of Mary River cannot come at the expense of the environment, and local Inuit must be active participants in all aspects of the project. Baffinland believes it has put forward a project proposal for Phase 2 that ensures this balance is met.
The majority of the Hamlets of the impacted communities (Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, and Sanirajak) have now confirmed to the NIRB that, in their view, the Phase 2 Proposal should be approved. Baffinland is humbled by these expressions of support and trust. The Company is committed to working with all of the impacted communities, regardless of their views on Phase 2.
Baffinland respects that the Phase 2 Proposal review has been complex and lengthy and includes a significant volume of information for the NIRB to consider in making its decision. A timely decision on Phase 2 is critical to the Company’s ongoing operations, both near and long-term, and the Company encourages the NIRB to issue its recommendation report in accordance with the 45-day timeline set out in the Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act.
Baffinland appreciates the responsibility and privilege it has to operate on Inuit owned lands, and strives to implement Inuit values in its operations every day. The Mary River Project has the long-term ability to help change Nunavummiut lives for the better. The Company believes there is overwhelming evidence before the NIRB that Phase 2, if approved, will create economic prosperity while protecting the environment and building stronger communities.
Please click here for the Executive Summary of the Company’s final NIRB statement on Baffinland’s website. Please click here for the full statement.
Jointly owned by The Energy and Minerals Group and ArcelorMittal, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation operates a high-grade iron ore mine located on Baffin Island, Nunavut. The Mary River Mine produces the highest grade of direct shipping iron ore in the world. Baffinland is committed to operating in an environmentally and socially responsible manner that benefits all stakeholders. Learn more at www.baffinland.com and follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Baffinland’s Phase 2 expansion plan is the mechanism to create a sustainable future for our business and for communities. Without Phase 2, the Company’s future is uncertain. Our trucking operation is coming to the end of its useful life, there is no economic case for replacing the trucks, and we need a larger production profile to effectively compete on a global scale. The Phase 2 Project Proposal that has been presented to the NIRB and Canada’s Minister of Northern Affairs for approval includes the following activities and works: