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Operations at the Mary River Project involves multiple sites and a wide range of activities. To manage the Mary River Project, Baffinland has developed a suite of management and monitoring plans that ensures the Project operates in a manner that protects Project personnel and the environment while promoting positive impacts.

In September, 2013, Baffinland and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) entered into the Mary River Project Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA). The IIBA is a legally-binding contract that provides Mary River Project-related benefits for Nunavummiut of the northern Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) Region and describes the roles and responsibilities of Baffinland and the QIA in implementing its provisions. Benefits flowing to Nunavummiut from the Mary River Project include financial participation in Mary River Project revenues, guarantees relating to employment and training, business opportunities and Inuit content in contracts, and the establishment of funds for education and training, wildlife compensation, business capacity and community wellness. The IIBA is intended to form the basis of a positive and enduring relationship between Baffinland, the QIA and the Nunavummiut of the northern Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) Region. It reflects Baffinland’s commitment to working in cooperation and collaboration with Nunavummiut to achieve mutual benefit throughout the life of the Mary River Project.

Baffinland reports regularly to the QIA on the performance of its obligations through quarterly reports and an annual IIBA Implementation Report. In addition, QIA and Baffinland jointly host an Annual Project Review Forum to provide information on the progress of IIBA implementation to representatives of the five northern Qikiqtaaluk (Baffin) Region communities of Pond Inlet, Clyde River, Arctic Bay, Sanirajak and Igloolik.
 

Baffinland is committed to timely, meaningful and culturally appropriate engagement with the communities potentially affected by the Mary River Project in order to promote the sustainable development of the operation. Through a proactive approach to stakeholder engagement, Baffinland strives to maximize the social and economic benefits flowing to Nunavummiut, the communities and the region, and to identify and mitigate any adverse environmental effects of the Project.

Stakeholder engagement activities include community tours, public meetings, participation in Working Groups, employee and community surveys, career fairs and technical workshops. Annual Socio-Economic Monitoring Reports support regular performance assessments on a number of indicators. We have been undertaking socio‐economic monitoring for the Project since 2013 and the socio‐economic monitoring program has evolved beyond its initial framework included in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), based on lessons learned and feedback from stakeholders. Discussions on how indicators and data sources could be improved continue as part of various stakeholder engagement activities.

Baffinland has obtained a significant amount of authorizations, permits and licences from multiple regulatory agencies and stakeholders to operate the Mary River Project. Key authorizations and licences issued to the Project include NIRB Project Certificate No. 005 issued by the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), Commercial Lease (No. Q13C301) with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and Type “A” and “B” Water Licences issued by the Nunavut Water Board (NWB). These authorizations listed above along with other permits and regulations, require Baffinland to report on various aspects of Project operations throughout the year. Baffinland produces a NIRB Annual Report that provides performance against the Commitments in the Project Certificate and a QIA/NWB Annual Report that documents performance on meeting environmental requirements in the Water Licence and Commercial Lease.
 

The earth’s atmosphere and its impact on our everyday lives has only become more evident over the last several decades. From weather to air quality, Baffinland is engaged in multiple monitoring programs focused on investigating and monitoring Mary River Project effects and the changing Arctic climate. Current monitoring topics include: dust, noise, climate, emissions and air quality.
 

The land, its history and the wildlife it supports, plays a vital role in Nunavummiut culture and lifestyle. Baffinland recognizes the land’s importance and engages in several monitoring programs each year. Collaborating with local communities and Arctic researchers, Baffinland monitors the potential effects of Mary River Project operations and climate change on the Arctic’s changing landscape. Monitoring topics currently include: caribou, vegetation, dust, birds, and archeology.