Worries mount over what busy mining road in Nunavut could mean for caribou migration

Agnico Eagle's proposed expansion of operations near its Meadowbank gold minenear Baker Lake,Nunavut, isfacing opposition.

The Kivalliq Inuit Association (KIA), the Government of Nunavut and the Baker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization have all expressed concern overhow aroadway connecting a new open pit mine toprocessing facilities atMeadowbankwill affectcaribou migration.

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Their concerns appeared in their final written submissions to the Nunavut Impact Review Board, submitted in advance of the final public hearing on the project, which begins onSept.19 in Baker Lake.

Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd. had an Aug.28 deadline to submit its written response to concerns before the hearing.

The new mining operation theWhale Tail pit is about50 kilometres northwest of Meadowbank. It would operate as an open pit mine for between three and four years, and requires a road connecting it to milling facilities at Meadowbank.Agnico Eagle expects mining could begin as early as 2019.

Most mining traffic in Nunavut

Approximately8.3 million tonnes of ore would be transported to Meadowbankvia the access road.

"Caribou are already being deflected around the [all-weather access road] possibly to the north of Meadowbank to where the project haul road will be located," the KIA's submission reads.

The KIA saidthe proposed road would have more frequent traffic than any other mining roadin Nunavut. Based on the proposed amount of passengers, itestimates a vehicle will traveldown the road as often as every sixminutes 75 per cent of which would betrucks.

The KIA says caribou have already shifted their migratory routes around the Meadowbankmine, and it suggests the new haul road will bisect thatroute.

TheBaker Lake Hunters and Trappers Organization echoed that,saying local hunters have complained that the presence of theMeadowbank project has forced caribou to stay further from town.

Protection measures not enough, says gov't

While Agnico Eagle has said the "incremental and cumulative effects from the project will not have a significant adverse effect," the Government of Nunavut disagrees.

The government's submission says past research shows caribou can be delayed by weeks in their migration if they have to cross a road even less busy thanwhat is proposed for Whale Tail.

"During migratory periods a short interaction with a site of development may be sufficient to induce a long-lasting disturbance effect resulting in delayed (or loss of) access to key habitat, increased travel distances and energetic costs."

It says that Agnico Eagle would need the "highest possible standards of mitigation" to manage this, but it is not convinced that's what's being proposed.

The company has said it will use mobile protection measures, which means instead of set seasonal shutdowns, the mine will cease or reduceoperations if caribou are detected in the area.

"The ability to implement it effectively to reduce impacts on caribou, whilst maintaining a logistically and economically viable mine operation, is unproven and thus represents a significant risk," the government said.

The company has also suggested a "convoy" mitigation technique to send groups of vehicles out together, in order to give caribou longer periods to cross the road.

The Lorillard and Wager Bay herds of caribou have the most potential to be affected by the Whale Tail pit project, butthe government and KIA said data on the herds is limited because few are collared. Now, the KIA iscalling on the government to complete its caribou strategy framework from 2010 within the next two years sodecisions like thesecan be more informed in the future.

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