Baffinland responds to positive variance of Nunavut Impact Review Board decision by the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
October 2, 2018
October 2, 2018 – Baffinland responded today to the recent decision by the Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade and the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations for the positive variance of the Nunavut Impact Review Board’s (NIRB) review of Baffinland’s proposed plan to expand to six million tonnes of production.
Brian Penney, President and CEO stated: “I first would like to thank the Nunavut Impact Review Board for their original report on our application to expand our operation and further develop the Milne Inlet Port. The findings in their report identified key improvement areas within our application that we have since addressed, and provided an opportunity for Baffinland to continue to build stronger relationships with our partners, including the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the Government of Nunavut, the North Baffin communities, and all Nunavummiut.”
The positive variance decision by the Ministry was, in part, based on the strong relationships between the North Baffin communities, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, and Baffinland, and the importance of the mine for Nunavut and all of Canada. Employing approximately 2,000 employees and contractors, Baffinland is the largest private employer in the Baffin region.
Baffinland’s application to the NIRB also included the construction of a 15 million litre fuel tank and a 380-person camp and associated infrastructure developments at Milne Inlet. The Ministers’ decision accepted the positive recommendation of the NIRB to proceed with these application components.
Baffinland will continue to develop and operate the Mary River Mine in a safe and sustainable manner and reconfirms its 2018 guidance. The Company is committed to working closely with its project partners, regulatory bodies, and the North Baffin communities to ensure the realization of benefits from the Mary River project.