Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation and Qikiqtani Inuit Association both say that this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Annual Project Review Forum (APRF) was productive and fruitful.

The APRF occurred from May 9-11.

There were 36 people in attendance for the forum. That figure includes representatives from Baffinland and QIA, as well as delegates from each of five communities affected by BaffinlandSA国际影视传媒檚 Mary River iron mine on north Baffin Island: Arctic Bay, Iglulik, Pond Inlet, Clyde River and Sanirajak.

Each community sent its community director, as well as an Elder and a youth.

SA国际影视传媒淭he forum is intended to be an open dialog between communities, QIA, and Baffinland,SA国际影视传媒� the QIA stated. SA国际影视传媒淲e have received valuable information from the impacted communities and conversations have been positive and fruitful.SA国际影视传媒�

The APRF is a byproduct of the Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement negotiated for the Mary River Project. The agreement was co-signed by QIA and Baffinland.

The forum gives both parties and representatives from affected communities an opportunity SA国际影视传媒渢o discuss project operations and agreement implementation for the previous year, and provide recommendations on how to improve the project,SA国际影视传媒� according to QIA.

This year marked the first APRF since 2019, as the Covid-19 pandemic made it impossible in more recent years.

SA国际影视传媒淏ecause itSA国际影视传媒檚 co-signed, because thereSA国际影视传媒檚 obligations for both parties to implement the agreement, we spend typically half the time with Baffinland presenting information and data from the prior year, and then Qikiqtani Inuit Association spends time presenting as well,SA国际影视传媒� said Udlu Hanson, Baffinland Iron MinesSA国际影视传媒� vice-president of community and strategic development.

SA国际影视传媒淭hen during the course of forum, and during question and answer sessions, the community representatives have opportunities to speak. They usually bring forward recommendations.SA国际影视传媒�

There were SA国际影视传媒渁 lot of great discussionsSA国际影视传媒� about SA国际影视传媒渁 lot of different issuesSA国际影视传媒� at this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 APRF, according to Hanson, including SA国际影视传媒渄iscussion around employment and training, contracting, health and safety.SA国际影视传媒�

Concerns about the mineSA国际影视传媒檚 impact on wildlife and the environment were also addressed.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have heard comments regarding dust, impacts to terrestrial and marine wildlife, job and contracting opportunities for Inuit, and improving conditions for workers at the site to make their rotations more enjoyable,SA国际影视传媒� said QIA. SA国际影视传媒淲e also heard about the need for further supports in communities for rotational workers.SA国际影视传媒�

Now that this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 APRF has concluded, Baffinland will begin compiling a public report based on the proceedings. The report will be available on the companySA国际影视传媒檚 website this summer.

In the meantime, both Baffinland and QIA seemed optimistic about the future of the project.

SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 the sentiment after the meetings SA国际影视传媒� that they were were good discussions, and everyone is looking forward to hearing back on the recommendations from both parties,SA国际影视传媒� Hanson said. SA国际影视传媒淭he recommendations were very forward-looking and optimistic in themselves that weSA国际影视传媒檙e moving in the right direction.SA国际影视传媒�

SA国际影视传媒淐onversations were productive and positive, and have yielded some great recommendations for QIA and Baffinland to work on,SA国际影视传媒� QIA said.