Debates, presentations, questions and concerns were underway for a more-than-a-week-long meeting of the Nunavut Impact Review Board discussing Agnico EagleSA国际影视传媒檚 application to extend the Meliadine gold mine.
Of chief concern for many was AgnicoSA国际影视传媒檚 proposed windfarm, which would see three to five turbines installed in the first phase and up to 11 in total.
In Agnico EagleSA国际影视传媒檚 presentation package, one bullet point reads, SA国际影视传媒淥nly viable option for Agnico Eagle is a windfarm,SA国际影视传媒� in light of a green energy focus for the Government of Canada and requirement to reduce GHGs under Term and Condition 9 in its project certificate.
The extension, if it were to go through, proposes to extend the mineSA国际影视传媒檚 life by 11 years up to 2043.
SA国际影视传媒淭he construction and operation of the windfarm is the focus of most Government of Nunavut comments for this proposal,SA国际影视传媒� wrote the GN in its presentation package.
In terms of positive benefits, the GN noted that the proposed project provides significant local employment and training opportunities for Nunavummiut, while the windfarm offers an opportunity for renewable energy and reducing on-site CO2 emissions.
But as for the windfarm, SA国际影视传媒渢his is the first time that Qamanirjuaq caribou will encounter wind turbines,SA国际影视传媒� notes the GN, and SA国际影视传媒渢he effect on caribou from the proposed windfarm is unknown.SA国际影视传媒�
The GN in its presentation package recommends a SA国际影视传媒渕ore cautiousSA国际影视传媒� turbine shutdown threshold of 10km instead of 5km for when caribou are nearby.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc, in their presentation package, outlined some serious concerns about the windfarm proposal.
SA国际影视传媒淣TI shares concerns expressed by Kivalliq HTOs and KIA (Kivalliq Inuit Association) regarding the potential impact of windfarms on barren-ground caribou behaviour and migration,SA国际影视传媒� wrote the organization under its SA国际影视传媒榠mpacts on caribouSA国际影视传媒� page.
SA国际影视传媒淕iven the sociocultural and economic value of the Qamanirjuaq herd to Kivalliq Inuit, and its importance to Inuit food security, NTI agrees with KIA and Kivalliq HTOs that our current lack of understanding of the impacts of the proposed winfarm on the behaviour and migration of Qamanirjuaq caribou creates a highe risk to the herd. NTI supports KIA and HTOs, particularly the KHTO, in their submissions regarding the significant and adverse potential impacts of the proposed windfarm on the Qamanirjuaq caribou herd.SA国际影视传媒�
The organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 comments go on to say the proposed windfarm could mean a SA国际影视传媒渉igh riskSA国际影视传媒� of impact to the herd and SA国际影视传媒渟ignificant impactSA国际影视传媒� to Inuit harvesting and food security.
SA国际影视传媒淎EMSA国际影视传媒檚 additional information does not sufficiently address potential impacts on Inuit harvesting rights from the proposed windfarm,SA国际影视传媒� wrote NTI.
In conclusion, NTI wrote that AEMSA国际影视传媒檚 information provided does not fully address Inuit concerns and in some cases does not reflect or fully consider Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit.
SA国际影视传媒淣TI welcomes AEMSA国际影视传媒檚 efforts to date but encourages AEM to seek alternatives that address the concerns expressed by Inuit,SA国际影视传媒� wrote NTI.
The meetings were scheduled to run from Sept. 12 SA国际影视传媒� 20, with community input sessions starting on the weekend.
