Canada rejects Arctic mine expansion project after years of violent protests.Sea

Canada faces years of uncertainty and violent protestcommunity members and campaigners say, is a win for fragile marine ecosystems and wildlife.

Baffinland Iron Mines’ planned expansion to the Mary River site would have doubled production to 12 million tonnes of iron ore. The mine also said that in order to bring the ore to market, he would have to build a 110 km railroad to a port near the community of Inlets and double the shipments.

The largest private employer in Nunavut, with about 2,600 employees, said expansion was essential to sustain profits.

On Wednesday night, after multiple delays, Canada’s Minister for Northern Affairs Dan Vandal said the expansion could have devastating effects on marine mammals, including major populations of narwhals, from Inuit groups. The area is home to the world’s most densely populated narwhal habitat and is an important food source for the Inuit community.

This decision will be made six months after the Nunavut Impact Review Board. opposed to expansionThe Board met in person at Pond Inlet, the community closest to the mine, and in Iqaluit, the territory’s capital. After hearing from community members and mines, it concluded that the project “may have significant negative impacts on vegetation and freshwater, as well as marine mammals and fish, caribou and other terrestrial wildlife.” Impact on Inuit harvests, culture, land use and food security in Nunavut.” The board review lasted his four years, the longest in its history.

In Wednesday’s decision, Vandal wrote that he and other ministers had “carefully considered” the proposal, along with input from Inuit groups, and concluded that the project “should not proceed at this time.”

Bandar said both the Kikiktani Inuit Association and the Nunavut Tungavik Company had written to him expressing their concerns about the proposed expansion, saying that adverse effects would “be prevented, mitigated or adaptive under the proposed mitigation measures.” It argued that it was not possible to “manage

In his decision, the Minister acknowledged the economic importance of the project, given that Baffinland’s business accounts for almost a quarter of the Territory’s GDP.

“However, we have paid particular attention to the conclusions of the board, designated Inuit organizations, and hunter and trapper organizations … confidence that Phase 2, as currently believed, can proceed without unacceptable repercussions. expressed a lack of,” he wrote.

Many community members say they are not against the mine, but are concerned that the expansion will cause irreparable damage.

The decision was approved with the approval of marine conservationists. “Our initial reaction was relief. Sea North. “But there are still unresolved questions about the impact of mining and shipping on ecosystems.” There is a possibility.

Others say it has been overlooked by decision-makers in Iqaluit. Under Landmark 1993 Nunavut Agreementthe Bafinins, who have established many important rights for the Inuit in their lands, must negotiate a benefit agreement with the Inuit groups representing the inhabitants of the territory.

Clyde River Mayor Jerry Natanin previously told The Guardian that he and others will have the power to negotiate royalty payments and a greater say in projects that may impact the community. He said he was trying to form a group.

February 2021, a gang of hunters blocked access to the mine in protest, enduring almost a week of frigid temperatures. Seven hunters (some from Clyde River) used snowmobiles and sleighs to block the runway and side road to the Mary River Mine while temperatures dipped to minus 30 degrees (minus 22 degrees). did.

“This decision comes from years of disappointment from Inuit organizations who don’t care on our behalf,” Natanin said at the time, adding that when tasked with the project, Hunter said, “Their culture and life They are forced to “fight for style,” he added.

Baffinland, which is jointly owned by ArcelorMittal and Houston private equity firm Energy and Minerals Group, has previously tried to assuage concerns about the project, confident that wildlife will not be affected by increased ore shipments. It was said that The company also advertises more than C$2 billion (US$1.5 billion) in royalties to be paid to the Inuit over his 30-year life of the mine.

The company had planned to issue a statement on Thursday following the federal government’s decision.