Photo: Public hearing starts April 12 in CamBay on Hope Bay gold project

Heavy machinery operating at Doris North exploration site prior to TMAC Resources Inc.’s acquisition of the gold mine project in 2013. At a three-day Nunavut Impact Review Board hearing in Cambridge Bay this week that started April 12, the review board will consider a request from TMAC to amend an existing project certificate, granted in 2006 to Miramar Mining Corp., a previous owner. Right now, TMAC already holds all necessary permits and licenses it needs to start mining at Doris North, part of the large Hope Bay gold field — but only for two years. Now, the company wants NIRB to amend the project certificate to allow for an expanded six-year mining period over a larger area. The NIRB will hear from stakeholder groups that include the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, the Government of Nunavut and several federal departments on proposed changes to infrastructure and water and tailings disposal. Read more later on Nunatsiaqonline.ca about the hearing. (PHOTO BY JANE GEORGE)