Nunavut’s first gold mine gets go-ahead from NIRB

The Nunavut Impact Review Board issued its final report this week, recommending to the federal minister of Indian and Northern Affairs that Miramar Hope Bay’s Doris North Project should go ahead.

The Doris North project, located about 125 kilometres southwest of Cambridge Bay, will be the first operating mine within Miramar’s larger Hope Bay project and the first new gold mine in Nunavut.

The NIRB recommendation completes the environmental impact assessment, called for under section 5.12 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, but the report has to be approved in Ottawa before the review board can issue a project certificate.

“The NIRB’s recommendation represents a significant milestone for our company and for the communities of Nunavut that will directly benefit from the Doris North project,” said Tony Walsh, president and chief executive officer of Miramar Mining Corporation. “We appreciate the very thorough review conducted by the NIRB and the support shown for the project by the local communities and Inuit organizations.”

The NIRB report recommends that the project proceed subject to certain terms and conditions. Miramar has completed a preliminary review of these terms and conditions, and in a news release, said the company will be able to satisfy them. The NIRB will post its report on its web site at http://nirb.nunavut.ca.

In order to construct, operate and close the Doris North project, Miramar will require additional permits, authorizations and agreements under regulatory processes from various authorities and organizations, including a water licence from the Nunavut Water Board, an Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement with the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (an agreement-in-principle is in place), an authorization from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, an amendment to Schedule 2 of the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations, and various other leases and authorizations.