Baffinland hopes railroad to Steensby is built in next few years
Application to temporarily continue increased iron ore shipments from Milne Inlet submitted to Nunavut Impact Review Board
Megan Lord-Hoyle, Baffinland’s vice-president of sustainable development, speaks Wednesday at the Nunavut Mining Symposium in Iqaluit. (Photo by Jeff Pelletier)
Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. is applying to continue exporting six million tonnes of iron ore from Mary River Mine through Milne Inlet, its northern marine shipping corridor, until 2030 or its railroad to Steensby Inlet is built.
Megan Lord-Hoyle, the company’s vice-president of sustainable development, shared the news Wednesday during a presentation at the Nunavut Mining Symposium in Iqaluit.
The company previously applied to ship 12 million tonnes of ore through Milne Inlet, but the federal government shot that plan down in 2022.
The company has been operating under temporary permits to ship six million tonnes through Milne Inlet as it reverts to a plan to build a railroad south to Steensby Inlet, where there are fewer environmental concerns around shipping.
The Milne Inlet route traverses the Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, which is a sensitive habitat for narwhals and seabirds.
Baffinland’s current shipping permit expires Dec. 31. That operation plan, which received support from the Nunavut Impact Review Board, allows the mine to temporarily export six million tonnes of ore per year through Milne Inlet.
Lord-Hoyle said in her presentation that the new proposal would allow the mine to continue operating while it works toward building its Steensby railway project.
“We’ve worked closely with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association and communities to make any additions to the form of the project that they would like to see as we move into this next [phase],” she said.
An application is already visible on the NIRB website. The project’s dashboard indicates monitoring started April 19.
The new operations proposal “will run until 2030 or whenever the Steensby component is fully operational,” said Peter Akman, Baffinland’s head of communications, in an email.
“It is our plan to break ground on the Steensby component next year,” Akman said, adding the company hopes construction will take three to four years.
“All of that is dependent on securing the necessary permits and financing.”
In her presentation, Lord-Hoyle highlighted how the green light to export an extra 1.8 million tonnes of iron ore, allowed under the temporary permits Baffinland has operated under since 2018, has economically benefited communities in the region.
The Steensby Inlet project — a rail line extending 149 kilometres south from Mary River to Steensby Port — received federal approval in 2012.
Baffinland CEO Brian Penney announced last year the company’s plans to focus on Steensby as a long-term option.
Once completed, the company will stop shipping from Milne Inlet, Lord-Hoyle said.
The symposium, which opened Monday, runs until Thursday at the Aqsarniit hotel.
choo choo whee!
Why do they have these events in Iqaluit, it’s like having a whale hunt in Ottawa, nobody supports the resource industry here.
How about a railway that connects to the south?
That is possible, through the Kivalliq Hydro line corridor, that was already talked about way back, that a rail could be possible through there, but would depend on support from communities
On main land, that would be a choice topic. If any mining industry pitches a plan to any community, just listen to their ideas and what they wanna do. Agree with them. Baker lake didn’t agree with forum energy and areva when those two companies wanted a ferry brought into baker lake or build a bridge over thelon river to deliver resources. Baker lake said no and those plans went out the window. Baker lake would have had a ferry. And the local people would have been able to ride it with their trucks or atv in tow. Or they would have had a bridge to cross onto the otherwise of mainland. When I told people what the company was willing to provide for the mine and community something this huge, they were full of regrets. Let me remind you, just for one bridge that spands atleast 30 feet or more costs 500,000.00 both to build and replace.
Might as build rail road right across baffin island or dirt road build Nunavut first high way it’s been no way long time come on nunavut leaders help this dream come true maby in 25 years 😔
There never seems to be money for building roads in Nunavut. The Federal Government funds and maintains the Trans Canada Highway, but nothing for Nunavut.
I bet you if our elected officials decided to contract out infrastructure projects like deep sea ports and road building to China, the Canadian Government would find money in a heart beat.
LOL… oh man.
Guffaw!!! Pass what yer smokin’. It’d be in the billions to build a railroad to the south.
In about 50 years, the Hudson bay is going to be free of ice year long. Just wait, put a ferry to Churchill and then take the train. Question: It is possible to go from Baker lake to Chesterfield Inlet by boat?