TORONTO (miningweekly.com) – The Canadian government on Monday congratulated the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) and the Baffin Iron Mines Corporation (BIMC) on signing an Inuit impact benefit agreement for the Mary River iron-ore project.

The Environment Minister, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor), and Arctic Council Minister Leona Aglukkaq on Monday said she was pleased that after years of negotiations, the QIA and BIMC had come to an agreement identifying tangible opportunities for Inuit to take advantage of socioeconomic benefits related to the Mary River project.

"This agreement signifies a positive step toward enhancing the quality of life for Inuit of the Qikiqtaaluk region and I would like to congratulate both parties on this great accomplishment."

The Mary River project is located on the north-east coast of Baffin Island, near the community of Pond Inlet, Nunavut. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs during the construction and operation phases, with an estimated peak mining rate of 21.5-million tonnes a year over an expected mine life span of 21 years.

The project had undergone extensive regulatory review and CanNor's Northern Projects Management Office (NPMO) had played a coordinating role throughout. NPMO provided issues management, path-finding services and advice to industry and communities, and coordinated the northern responsibilities of federal regulators to support a timely, efficient and transparent review process.

CanNor was committed to working in partnership with other federal departments, the Nunavut government, Inuit organisations and other partners to support responsible resource development in Nunavut.

CanNor's NPMO also worked with northern communities to help prepare them to participate in and benefit from significant projects and northern resource development through community planning, by identifying training, employment and business opportunities while continuing to protect and promote the traditional economy.