As Raglan Mine’s future unfolds, Inuit negotiators reflect on the past
Negotiator Charlie Arngak looks back on deal between Inuit and Falconbridge that would allow for creation of nickel mine
Retired Raglan Mine employee Annie Kenuayuak cuts the ribbon at a ceremony to mark the grand opening of Anuri Mine, an expansion of Raglan Mine, which produces nickel out of Nunavik. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
A knife sharpens with another knife, a person sharpens with another person.
These were the words Jessica Arngak spoke Feb. 27 during the opening ceremony of Anuri Mine in Nunavik.
“If we work together, Inuit, Qallunaat, and all others, we will be sharp like a knife,” she said.
Kangiqsujuaq Mayor Qiallak Nappaaluk, left, and Jessica Arngak sit together at the Donaldson airport near Raglan Mine after visiting the newly opened Anuri Mine last week. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
Arngak’s brother, Charlie Arngak, was elected mayor of Kangiqsujuaq in the late 1980s. An old mine near the village, named Asbestos Hill, had just closed down after wreaking havoc on the community’s health due to asbestos poisoning.
At the time, another mining company, Falconbridge, had its eyes set on a nickel-rich region not far from Asbestos Hill, between Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq.
Reminded of what had happened with the previous mine, Charlie Arngak was determined to not let something similar happen again.
“I wanted to do something about it,” he said in a phone interview. “I went to Toronto, and met with the Falconbridge president myself.”
Charlie Arngak said he had a “hard talk” with then-Falconbridge president Thomas Pugsley.
“He realized that I was serious,” Charlie Arngak said.
When he returned home, he contacted the Salluit mayor at the time, Putulik Papigatuk, and hired a lawyer.
That’s where negotiations began between Inuit and executives for Raglan Mine, which now contributes $457 million to Quebec’s gross domestic product and $175 million to Inuit entrepreneurs.
In 1995, the Raglan agreement was signed by Raglan Mine and Inuit partners Makivvik Corp., the communities of Salluit and Kangiqsujuaq, and their respective landholding corporations.
The mine opened operations in 1998.
Raglan, which produces 40,000 tons of nickel per year, is expected to last at least another two decades thanks to the recently opened Anuri Mine expansion, which started producing in January.
Even after the multiple changes of ownership Raglan has had over the years, the agreement remains. The mine is now owned by Glencore Canada.
“It was very tough sometimes,” Charlie Arngak said. “Sometimes we had to get out of the room, it was too frustrating. At the end, we would always get back and start over again.”
The agreement lays out clear provisions that promote hiring Inuit from surrounding communities, protect the environment, give preference to Inuit businesses for contracts, and include profit sharing and monitoring the agreement through a committee.
In 2022, the Raglan Trust received $25.8 million which was distributed to all beneficiaries, according to Makivvik Corp.’s 2021-22 Treasurer’s Report.
According to Charlie Arngak, the relationship between Inuit and Raglan right now is very good. The opening of a new mine, and the prospect of business continuing for another 20 years, brings comfort to the communities.
Taking advantage of opportunities
Kangiqsujuaq Mayor Qiallak Nappaaluk said times have changed for Inuit in her community. There are fewer hunters, yet everybody still needs to feed their families.
Charlie Arngak speaks to a crowd of ministers, Glencore company executives, Raglan employees and Inuit representatives about his time spent negotiating with the mining corporation. (Photo by Cedric Gallant)
“We have to work, to provide for our families,” she said while attending the grand opening event at Anuri.
Ultimately, she said, the mine is good for the future because it provides jobs and opportunities for young people.
Kangiqsujuaq has a population of about 850; Nappaaluk said about 20 residents work at Raglan.
The Raglan agreement stipulates the mine workforce should be 25 per cent Inuit. Currently, approximately 17 per cent of the 1,420 people who work there are Inuit.
Nappaaluk pointed to an education program offered by Raglan, named Tamatumani. She said she hopes young Inuit take advantage of it.
“It’s not only for Raglan,” she said, adding the skills they learn could be brought back to the community.
Stewards of the land
Inuit also have to be stewards of the land in this relationship, agreed Nappaapluk and Charlie Arngak. A crucial part of the negotiation is how the mine will close down, an exit plan.
Charlie Arngak said he knows the land might never return exactly to what it once was, but the goal is to come as close as possible.
The Raglan agreement includes a committee with three Inuit representatives and three Raglan representatives who meet to discuss concerns about the land.
According to Raglan vice-president Pierre Barrette, the interaction between Inuit and the company has become a point of pride and a part of his company’s culture.
“The best part of my job is this relationship, to have those discussions, it is what makes this operation in Nunavik interesting,” he said.
Congratulations to Nunavikmiut!
This inspiring story should hopefully motivate Qikiqtani leaders to realize that this kind of win win partnership can be possible in our region next door as well based on Baffinland’s rich iron ore deposits, which can make highly prized green steel in Europe. With a prized lower carbon footprint.
While the Milne Inlet route raised concerns about marine mammal harvesting and dust, the company’s new proposed railway route south to Steensby Inlet should lessen those concerns.
Let us hope Qikiqtani leaders will be inspired by what their Inuit neighbours and their visionary leaders to the south have achieved in driving hard but but beneficial bargains for Inuit as well as measures to monitor and and protect the environment through good faith negotiations with a willing mining company.
We can do it too!
All that money , we get called the Raglan Trust Fund , should be used to built more housing , cause a lot of it just goes up in smoke or pissed down the toilet , if you know what i mean.
I remember when Makivik prez at the time got Nunavimmiut to vote for either individual payouts or for community development funds. Individual payouts won and long after that, he won the presidential election. Put on some leader pants and make decisions for the better, not for the vote. MAN UP.
“….. Asbestos Hill, had just closed down after wreaking havoc on the community’s health due to asbestos poisoning”. No one in that community was affected by asbestos poisoning. Sloppy journalism.