Towards Phase 2a of the Nunavik Nickel Project
08 avril 2023
Thanks to exploration our efforts in recent years, Canadian Royalties (CRI) intends to continue its operations with the development of four new underground mining projects, namely, the Expo South, Ivakkak UG, Méquillon UG2 and Nanaujaq projects. These four projects, of which the first three are extensions of already authorized deposits, constitute Phase 2a of the Nunavik Nickel Project (NNiP) and will extend its life beyond 2030. The continuation of the NNiP will meet the growing demand for certain metals, such as copper and nickel, to enable the energy transition begun at the international level, while maintaining and creating jobs for the people of Nunavik.
Thus, in 2021 and 2022, CRI carried out site characterization activities for these future projects. For 11 weeks, biologists of different disciplines from the firm Aecom explored more than 46 km on foot to characterize 53 hectares (53,000 m2), including the streams, wetlands, wildlife and plant life of these sites. Dozens of soil, sediment and water samples were collected and hundreds of inventory sheets were completed. By creating an accurate picture of the environment in which the future projects will be established, this work helped evaluate their potential impacts and propose attenuation measures. The site characterization work found that the sites where the projects will be deve- loped contain few or no sensitive environments and that vulnerable species will not be affected. Also, the residual impacts of the projects were assessed as being minor for almost all impact sources identified, considering the implementation of attenuation measures.
This assessment was submitted for analysis to the Kativik Environmental Quality Commission (KEQC) and the MELCCFP , in the form of an addendum to the NNiP’s social and environmental impact study (SEIS), which had initially been carried out in 2007.
A review of the Phase 2a SEIS will be carried out by a Nunavik Nickel Agreement subcommittee, made up of Inuit stakeholder and CRI representatives in order to comply with the planned consultation process. The proposed attenuation measures will be discussed and eventually added to the Agreement.
Phase 2a was designed to incorporate principles such as precautions, biodiversity conservation and respect for ecosystem support capacity, especially for the purpose of minimizing infrastructure and mining operation footprints. It allows for job maintenance and new job creation, as well as the creation of new wealth, while using infrastructure that is already established. In addition, a mechanism for the redistribution of eco- nomic benefits was created via the Nunavik Nickel Agreement for the Inuit communities.
When all is said and done, Phase 2a is in keeping with the balance sought among the three sustainable development goals, which are social equity, environmental integrity and economic efficiency.