Since the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) was created, this environmental assessment organization has reviewed many major mining developments. Along the way NIRB has approved some projects, rejected others, and in certain cases has required amendments that afforded more stringent environmental protections.

A good example of how NIRB works can be seen in Baffinland Iron Mines Corp’s Mary River Mine project. The sixth most northerly mine in the world, this massive iron ore operation runs round the clock, 365 days per year. But before it could begin to develop the site, Baffinland first required approval from NIRB.

Assessing the environmental impacts of a project this large requires time, expertise and resources. Since initial contact with Baffinland, NIRB has assessed the impacts of a railway line on migrating caribou; shipping traffic on marine mammals and nearby Inuit communities such as Pond Inlet; as well as proposals to double production and expand the shipping season. The assessment process has taken years in some cases, often requiring additional information from Baffinland before decisions could be made.

Community consultations and hearings have been held in multiple communities in the vicinity of the mine. Consultations for the original project were conducted with 11 communities in Nunavut, and 7 communities in Nunavik (northern Quebec), because of a proposed shipping route through Hudson Strait.

The NIRB’s monitoring program is unique for an environmental assessment agency. NIRB issues a project certificate following the successful completion of a review, outlining terms and conditions the proponent must adhere to. For example, the original Mary River Project Certificate included 184 terms and conditions. Based on the results of its monitoring, NIRB can reconsider terms and conditions of project certificates if they are not working as intended.