Baffinland supports successful Technical Meetings for Phase 2 permitting process
April 16, 2019
OAKVILLE, ON, April 16, 2019 – Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (“Baffinland” or the “Company”) completed successful Technical Meetings, a key milestone in its Phase 2 permitting process, held last week in Iqaluit. The meetings provide the opportunity for regulators, community groups, federal departments, the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and more, to review responses submitted by Baffinland on technical comments received on March 9th on the Phase 2 expansion environmental impact statement addendum.
Baffinland appreciates the opportunity to both provide more information about its proposed Phase 2 expansion, and to meet with and respond to technical inquiries and requests from the many interveners participating in this important permitting process. With a team of over 28 people, Baffinland was able to follow up on its written responses to interveners’ information requests and technical comments. The meetings also provided an excellent opportunity for new issues to be tabled and requests for information that Baffinland is already engaged on following up. Baffinland presented its timeline for supplying additional information that has been requested through the review process to aid in interveners’ reviews. Having additional information requested and provided throughout the review process is an important and standard part of the review.
As the single largest private sector employer on Baffin Island, Baffinland has a significant positive impact on the economy of Nunavut, and specifically the economy of the North Baffin Region. Baffinland has, and continues to be, invested in support of its Inuit employees, their families, and communities. The Phase 2 expansion proposal is critical to the phased-development of the Mary River Mine. Phased growth in production will allow the Company to establish a solid economic foundation from which it will continue to deliver training and employment opportunities, as well as sustained positive economic contributions to Nunavut’s growing economy for years to come.
To access all documents submitted to the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB), visit the NIRB website (www.nirb.ca) and search the Mary River Project (Project ID: 08MN053) in the public registry.
Ongoing community and public engagement
Following the completion of the technical meetings in Iqaluit, Baffinland plans to use the time in the lead up to the final phase of the review to continue to meet with communities, members of the public and regulators.
This includes the last of three risk assessment workshops with community members from Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Igloolik, Hall Beach and Pond Inlet, scheduled for May at the Mary River Mine. Previous workshops, held at the Mine and in Trois-Rivières, Quebec, have been valuable in helping Baffinland and community members better understand how environmental management plans can more accurately reflect Inuit values and experiences with the land. Other engagement sessions will be held throughout the summer to discuss specific topics or areas of the project that are of special interest to community members.
Additional community visits are also being planned for late-Spring to build on earlier sessions and report back to communities on where we are in the process and what is up-coming.
Baffinland appreciates the active engagement on the Project and the opportunity to discuss our on-going operation and future plans.
About Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation
Jointly owned by Nunavut Iron Ore and ArcelorMittal, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation operates a high-grade iron ore mine located on Baffin Island, Nunavut. Our mine produces the highest grade of direct shipping iron ore in the world. Baffinland has applied for permits to increase annual shipments. Baffinland is committed to operating the Mary River Mine in an environmentally and socially responsible manner that benefits all stakeholders.
Media inquiries can be directed to:
info@Baffinland.com
416 364 8820 x5032