By Canadian Press

Federal cabinet ministers OK Nunavut iron ore mine temporary production increase

Oct 4, 2022 | 2:30 PM

POND INLET, Nunavut — Federal cabinet ministers have approved a temporary production increase for an iron ore mine on the northern tip of Baffin Island, preventing potential job losses in Nunavut. 

Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal issued a letter Tuesday to the Nunavut Impact Review Board saying they support Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation’s request to increase production from 4.2 to six million tonnes at its Mary River Mine until the end of this year. 

The board, an environmental assessment agency in Nunavut, recommended late last month that the mine be allowed to transport and ship six million tonnes of ore, as it has done since 2018. 

Vandal says the ministers agree that Baffinland’s commitments to improve mitigation efforts and monitoring can adequately address any negative environmental or socio-economic impacts from the mine. 

Baffinland had said if the production increase was not granted, it would have to lay off nearly 1,200 employees, as it expected to reach the 4.2 million tonnes target this month. 

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Vandal recommends the board issue the amended certificate so Baffinland can increase production as soon as possible. 

Baffinland is still awaiting a separate decision from the federal government on whether it can increase production to 12 million tonnes as part of long-term expansion plans at the mine.   

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2022. 

The Canadian Press