As Nunavut’s mining industry grows, its mines are adding significant employment and business benefits for the territory, its communities, and economy.

Alex Buchan, Nunavut VP of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines presented an overview of Nunavut’s mining sector at the Northern Lights Conference in Ottawa on Feb. 2. For the territorial economy, Nunavut mining’s direct contributions are very large, and in 2016 mining formed about 20% of the economy, he said. Mining’s contribution is even larger when you consider sectors like construction and transportation. This is a welcome turnaround from 2009, when Nunavut had no mining industry, added Buchan.

Three mines now operate in Nunavut, one in each region: Agnico Eagle’s Meadowbank gold mine in Kivalliq, Baffinland’s Mary River iron mine in Qikiqtani, and TMAC’s Hope Bay gold mine in Kitikmeot.

Buchan shared new socio-economic data compiled by the Chamber of
Mines, including:
• Since 2009, mines have provided 2,365 person years of mining employment in Nunavut. In 2016, there were 1,946 jobs of which 388 (20%) were Nunavut residents.
• Total mine spending since 2007 exceeds $4.8B of which $2.2B was in Nunavut. In 2016, mine spending was $582M of which $252M (43%) was in Nunavut.

Additionally, industry royalty and benefit agreement payments are other ways in which Nunavummiut are benefitting from mining. Advancing opportunities at Meliadine, Back River, Amaruq, and Chidliak have potential to generate even more employment, business benefits, tax and royalty revenues to government and Inuit organizations.

Buchan underlined the need to address falling exploration investment, which the industry links to a troublesome land use planning process, and for much needed investments in infrastructure to help lower costs.

For more information, visit the Chamber of Mines website at www.miningnorth.com or contact Terry Dobbin, Nunavut General Manager at Tel: 867-222-5281 or email: generalmanagernu@miningnorth.com.