New firm hopes to cash in on Baffin mining

A new expediting company hopes to get in on Nunavut’s booming mineral exploration industry.

Logistics and Expediting Baffin Ltd. is a joint venture between Yellowknife-based Discovery Mining Services and Iqaluit’s Lynda Gunn, who will serve as president and general manager.

“[W]hen you factor in Nunavut’s growing economic importance, specifically in the areas of mineral exploration, creation of mines, increased scientific and federal government-related sovereignty activity, I’m excited about what the future holds for our partnership,” Gunn said in a March 9 news release.

John Curran, a spokesman for Discovery Mining Services, said there’s “huge potential” for an expediting business based in Iqaluit.

Mineral exploration in Nunavut alone is predicted to top $300 million this year.

“In terms of market potential, it’s a great time,” Curran said in an interview.

He said the new company will build and operate remote camps and also ship samples from camps to southern offices.

“Every exploration company needs a camp,” Curran said.