Quebec’s uranium commission returns to Nunavik

This map shows where uranium is being explored in Nunavik; the diamonds indicate uranium deposits while the stars show early exploration projects. (PHOTO COURTESY THE QUEBEC GOVERNMENT)

Nunavik residents who still have questions about uranium mining in their backyard will get another opportunity to gather information at an upcoming public consultation session Sept. 25 in Kangiqsualujjuaq.

The Quebec government’s environmental advisory body, the Bureau d’audiences sur l’environnement, or BAPE, along with the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee, will host a question and information session on the future of the region’s potential uranium industry at Kangiqsualujjuaq’s community hall that day, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Nunavik has two early-stage exploration projects under way, both southeast of Kangiqsualujjuaq: Azimut’s Rae North and Daniel Lake properties.

Azimut holds another three uranium properties in the same area: North Rae, Kangiq and Burrel Lake.

Along Nunavik’s southern boundary, another mining exploration company, Waseco, is in the advanced exploration stage at its Dieter Lake uranium deposit and other properties, about 200 kilometres southeast of Kuujjuaq.

The Dieter Lake deposit covers about 8,000 hectares and is thought to contain up to 110 million pounds of uranium, sometimes accompanied by copper, gold, silver, lead and zinc.

But there are several hundred “mineralized occurrences,” or identified deposits, of uranium throughout the region.

While most are clustered around the George River, handfuls of deposits have been identified in central Nunavik and near the community of Umiujaq.

The commission, already visited Kuujjuaq this past June.

Officials with the commission will return once more to Kuujjuaq and Kangiqsualujjuaq in November, to gather further opinions on uranium mining from residents and regional organizations.

The commentary gathered from Nunavik and from communities across Quebec will be compiled into a report that will be delivered by May 2015 to the Quebec ministry of sustainable development, environment and the fight against climate change.

The report is meant to give Quebec a better idea of where the public stands on uranium mining, although it’s unclear if the process will help Nunavimmiut take a position on the subject.

Nunavik Inuit birthright organization Makivik Corp. has not publicly stated whether it is for or against uranium in their territory..

During a visit to Iqaluit last month, the MP for Nunavik, Romeo Saganash said he believes his constituents are against the development of uranium in their region.

“A majority of people are opposed to it,” Saganash said, adding that without social acceptance, uranium cannot be mined under the James Bay and Northern Quebec agreement.

The BAPE’s session in Kangiqsualujjuaq runs from 1:00 p.m. and again at 7:00 p.m. Sept. 25 in the community hall.

Residents who live outside the community can send questions to the commission through this online form.