CAMBRIDGE BAY, Nunavut -
The Nunavut Influence Evaluation Board is recommending the proposed growth of an iron ore mine on the northern tip of Baffin Island mustn't go forward.
Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. is in search of to increase its Mary River iron ore mine close to Pond Inlet by doubling its annual output from six to 12 million tonnes.
The mine, thought of one of many world's richest iron deposits, opened in 2015 and ships about six million tonnes of ore a 12 months.
The mine says the growth would greater than double employment on the mine to greater than 1,000.
The assessment board stated Friday in a launch that there's potential for the proposal to have important and lasting damaging results on marine mammals, the marine atmosphere, fish, caribou and different wildlife, vegetation and freshwater.
The board stated these damaging results might additionally impression Inuit harvesting, tradition, land use and meals safety.
"The Board has concluded that the proposal as assessed can't be carried out in a way that can defend the ecosystemic integrity of the Nunavut Settlement Space and that can defend and promote the prevailing and future well-being of the residents and communities of the Nunavut Settlement Space, and Canada extra typically," the board stated.
"In consequence, the board has really useful to the Minister that the Part 2 Growth Proposal as assessed shouldn't be permitted to proceed presently."
Federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal thanked the board for its work and stated the federal government will assessment the report and its suggestion.
"I might be taking time to assessment the report together with federal officers," Vandal stated on Twitter. "A call might be taken following applicable due diligence and complete evaluation, together with whether or not the responsibility to seek the advice of has been met or not."
The mine proposal has confronted opposition, together with from hunters and trappers locally closest to the mine.
Inuit hunters stated they feared an growth of the mine might hasten the continued decline of a narwhal inhabitants that they depend on for meals.
In a letter despatched final week to the board, the Mittimatalik Hunters and Trappers Group stated the mine is already harming their skill to reap the essential meals supply.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Could 13, 2022.
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