Nanisivik eulogy begins January 31

GN officials will finally make good on a longstanding promise when they fly into Arctic Bay at the end of the month to explain to residents just what is happening to the Nanisivik mine site.

“They’ve been planning to come up for a number of months,” said Quttiktuq MLA Levi Barnabas, who pressed the cabinet for a date during the most recent sitting of the Legislative Assembly.

Breakwater Resources Ltd., the company which owned and operated the mine until its early closing in 2001, started a $9.9 million reclamation of the former mine site late this summer. The demolition should be complete by fall 2005.

“Most of the buildings are being torn down,” Barnabas said. “The trailing pond is already covered.”

Breakwater has agreed to fuel the generator at the airport, which services Arctic Bay residents, until the GN comes up with a plan for continued operation of the airport.

Several non-contaminated items, such as kitchen appliances, have been salvaged from homes in Nanisivik and distributed by public lottery in Arctic Bay. A staff member with the GN’s department of economic development and transportation is co-ordinating the effort.

Economic Development and Transportation Minister David Simailak will lead the public meeting, scheduled for Jan. 31, accompanied by Premier Paul Okalik, Environment Minister Olayuk Akesuk and Community and Government Services Minister Peter Kilabuk.