Water board to hold hearings on mine closure

PATRICIA D’SOUZA

The Nunavut Water Board plans to hold pre-hearings and hearings in Arctic Bay to consult the public on the closure of the Nanisivik Mine, the board’s executive director says.

The meetings are actually part of the board’s regular process before it makes major decisions, said Philippe di Pizzo. However, exactly when the meetings are held will depend on Breakwater Resources, which owns the mine.

Breakwater is expected to submit an abandonment and restoration plan to the board early next year.

Pre-hearings to inform the public about the scope of the proposed plan and identify the parties interested in participating will probably take place before early March 2000. Hearings will take place about two months after the pre-hearings.

There has been very little information distributed to the people of Arctic Bay, di Pizzo admitted. “There is no easy way to do that,” he said.

But, he added, formal public notices will be posted in Arctic Bay before the pre-hearings. “We try to keep people informed.”

Because the mine is located on both Crown and Commissioner’s Lands, approval of the decommissioning will also involve the Government of Nunavut and the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs.

According to di Pizzo, the water board’s interests are in making sure the closure is permanent and to see that there is no impact on surface water. “The water board’s responsibilities are water and waste,” he said, “not jobs, social and economic impacts, environment and all other issues.” That’s why it’s crucial for the public to be informed and involved in the process.

In addition, he invites the residents of Arctic Bay and other interested parties to call the Nunavut Water Board’s office in Gjoa Haven at (867) 360-6338 if they want more information or want to be added to the board’s mailing list.