The board cited “significant adverse ecosystemic effects” on marine mammals such as narwhals, fish, caribou and other wildlife, which in turn could harm Inuit culture, as the main reason for the decision.
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793 and International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), say allowing the expansion would be the only way to save the jobs of hundreds of skilled workers, many of whom live in Nunavut.
Baffinland, in which steel giant ArcelorMittal has a 28% stake, submitted last week a request for an emergency order from Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal to increase its 2022 shipping limit from 4.2 million tonnes to six million tonnes as an interim measure.
The mining company has said that if the interim measure is not approved, it will have to halt operations at Mary River once production reaches 4.2 million tonnes for the rest of the year. This would affect about 1,300…
