1. Nunavut Impact Review Board Public Information Meetings
for the NIRB Review of the
Meliadine Gold Mine Project
October 15 – 22, 2013

2. Outline What is the NIRB? NIRB Review Process
Meliadine Gold Mine Project (“Meliadine”) Components
Coffee break
Environmental Assessment
Summary of Impact Assessment
Next steps in the Review Process
How to Contact the NIRB
Nunavut Impact Review Board

3. What is the NIRB?
The Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) is an institution of public government
Created under Article 12 of the NLCA in 1996
Responsible for environmental impact assessment of proposed projects in Nunavut
Up to 9 Board Members
Board members live in communities throughout Canada
18 staff members
Office located in Cambridge Bay
Nunavut Impact Review Board

4. What Does the NIRB Do? NIRB’s Mission is:
To protect and promote the well being of the Environment and Nunavummiut through the Impact Assessment process
Nunavut Impact Review Board

5. Part 7 Project Monitoring
Nirb Process Overview
Project
Certificate
Part 7 Project Monitoring
Minister
Report
Part 5 NIRB Review
Part 6 Panel Review
Screening Decision
NIRB
NPC AA
Proponent
Part 4 Screening
Here are the impact assessment processes that the NIRB is responsible to undertake – they are listed in the NLCA Article 12. WE need to look at the possible impacts of development before they are allowed to proceed and with Monitoring, even after they`re allowed to proceed, to ensure the environemnt is not suffering degradation as a result of development.
Nunavut Impact Review Board

6. What is Impact Assessment?
Ecosystemic
Socio-Economic
Cumulative
Transboundary
Four areas that the Board considers through the process: physical, social, accumulation of impacts in the area, and as the wildlife and water don’t stop at the border, impacts to areas outside of Nunavut
What does the NIRB assess? - list project types with photos – specifically, MINING projects like Meliadine.
What are we looking for when we discharge our mandate, meet our mission? Whether parts of the environment – land water people are being affected. The next slides will look at parts of the environemtn that we are interested in a little more closely…
Nunavut Impact Review Board

7. Ecosystemic Impacts Wildlife Geology Air quality Marine biota Birds
What do we look at during Impact Assessment? VEGETATION: potential impacts to vegetation include, loss of vegetation to infrastructure development; and loss of ecosystem and vegetation from increased dust, potential on invasive species, alteration of hydrology and chemical spills.
TERRESTRIAL WILDLIFE: direct and indirect habitat loss, changes in migratory patterns, direct and indirect mortality, attraction of animals to human use sites and potential for chemical effects (chemical spills and bioaccumulation)
MIGRATORY BIRDS: habitat loss due to construction, disturbance of nesting and breeding, lighting can serve as attractants to migratory birds. Bioaccumulation in raptors from eating small mammals.
FRESHWATER BIOTA: potential impacts to water and sediment quality from project activities (lake dewatering, culverts, dams, reducing the volume of water in lakes and streams). Potential impacts to fish habitat from altering or removing
MARINE BIOTA: potential impacts to water and sediment quality from project activities (construction of marine infrastructure). Disruption of wildlife movement and direct or indirect mortality.
SPECIES AT RISK: Peregrine Falcon and the Short-eared Owl may exist in the area and are listed in Schedule 3 of SARA.
GEOLOGY: potential project-related impacts to geology include the removal or ore and other rock to develop the deposits, roads, airstrips, etc.
UNIQUE Landscapes: Removal of esker material for construction purposes
WATER: naturally occurring water could potentially be affected from interactions with mine water (pit water, run off water, dust suppressants), as well as the amount of naturally occurring water could be impacted from the requirement to use water for camp and processing purposes.
AIR QUALITY, NOISE and VIBRATIONS: potential impacts to air quality from the combustion of fuel generators, mining equipment, planes, marine vessels.
Marine biota
Birds
Vegetation
Ground stability
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Water
Freshwater biota

8. Socio-Economic Impacts
Archaeology
Livelihood
Food security
Land and Resource Use
NEED PHOTOS: Economic development
Benefits and royalty
EMPLOYMENT: preference will be given to the Kitikmeot region, expanded to Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Yellowknife, and other areas. During construction it is anticipated that up to 720 personnel will be located on site. Between construction and exploration it is anticipated that personnel on site will not exceed Over the long-term, an anticipated 540 persons will be required for operations and exploration.
Employment
Education and training
Community infrastructure
and public services
Nunavut Impact Review Board

9. Other Items Cumulative Impacts Transboundary Impacts
CUMULATIVE IMPACTS: biophysical impacts (to the physical environment), socio-economic impacts (economic, social , cultural , traditional land use)
TRANSBOUNDARY: discussion is based on environmental transboundary effects. Could include impacts to water, air quality, some animals migrate over large distances (grizzly bear, migratory birds, caribou, marine mammals)
Nunavut Impact Review Board

10. Why are We Here? To discuss: NIRB Review Process Overview
Meliadine project components
Draft Environmental Impact Statement submitted by Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.
Predictions made on residual project effects
Questions or concerns communities might have
Nunavut Impact Review Board

11. When is a Review Required?
When a proposed project may have significant impacts on environment and Inuit harvesting activities.
When a proposed project may have negative effects on social and economic conditions on northerners.
When there is significant public concern for the proposed project.
When a proposed project involves new technology that has effects that we do not know enough about.
Nunavut Impact Review Board

12. The NIRB Review Process for the Meliadine Gold Mine Project
NIRB Screening Decision
NLCA (b)
DEIS Technical Review
FEIS
Technical Review
Minister refers project
for Part 5 Review
Technical Meeting
Final Hearing
Issue Scoping and EIS
Guideline Development
Pre-Hearing Conference
& NIRB Decision
NIRB Reports
to the Minister
NIRB receives DEIS
NIRB receives FEIS
Minister’s Decision
Internal Conformity
Review to EIS Guidelines
Internal Conformity
Review to PHC decision
NIRB Project Certificate
Nunavut Impact Review Board

13. Review Phase 1: Scoping and Guidelines
Public scoping meetings held in the Kivalliq communities in November 2011
Development of project scope for the Meliadine project based on comments and concerns received from members of the public
Scoping led to the creation of the EIS Guidelines
Issued by the NIRB in February 2012
Nunavut Impact Review Board

14. Review Phase 2: Draft EIS
Proponent submitted Draft Environmental Impact Statement in January 2013
February 2013 the NIRB determined that the Draft EIS submission did not conform the NIRB’s EIS Guidelines
April 2013 the Proponent resubmitted the Draft EIS
Technical review commenced May 2013
Interested parties were asked to submit Information Requests
AEM submission of a response in September 2013
Nunavut Impact Review Board

15. Project Details
Nunavut Impact Review Board

16. Meliadine Project Location
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17. Proposed Project Schedule
Construction: 3 years
Operation: 13 years
Decommissioning and Post-Closure: 3-4 years, plus 10 years for the open pits to refill naturally from Meliadine Lake
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18. Tiriganiaq/main mine Site
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19. Meliadine Site
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20. Tiriganiaq/main mine Site
Activities:
Accommodations and administrative buildings
Open pit and underground mining
Ore processing at a mill site
8500 tonnes per day (approx. 3.1 million tonnes/year)
Tailings disposal
Waste disposal and management
Tiriganiaq is the main base for operations. -
Open pit and underground mining activities include – ramp/portal, explosives, waste rock pad, ore storage pads, diking and dewatering as needed
Tailings disposal – This is the only site that will have a tailings disposal facility. Ore from all deposits will be transported to Tiriganiaq for processing.
Waste Management – waste water, waste hazardous material handling and storage, solid waste landfill, landfarming
Other activities associated include – quarrying, power generation and heat recovery
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21. OTHER DEPOSITS
Wesmeg
F Zone
Pump
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22. OTHER DEPOSITS
Discovery
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23. Other Deposits
Proposed open-pit and underground mining at additional deposits:
Wesmeg
F Zone
Pump
Discovery
Processing is not planned for these deposits and therefore ore would be transported to the Tiriganiaq Site for processing at the mill
proposed activities at these deposits include:
- overburden removal
- quarrying
- dewatering and diking of waterbodies as necessary
- fuel storage and refuelling of equipment as necessary
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24. RANKIN INLET
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25. Rankin inlet Itivia Dock Fuel storage/tankfarm and laydown area
Rankin Inlet airport
Itivia Dock
- Used to receive materials barged to Rankin Inlet during open water season
Fuel storage/tankfarm and laydown area
- Adjacent to the Rankin Inlet airport
- Transfer area for materials and supplies destined for the Tiriganiaq site
Rankin Inlet airport
- Personnel from the south will be flown in to the airport
- Materials that cannot be brought in on the barge will be flown to the airport
All materials that are brought to the Rankin Inlet airport will be moved directly to the Tiriganiaq site
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26. Site Access ROads
Bypass Road Alignment
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27. Site Access roads Main road from Rankin Inlet to Meliadine 24 km
As proposed would allow public access
Three gates along the road (2 manned, 1 unmanned)
1 Emergency Shelter
Includes a spur road to the Discovery deposit
Activities also include:
- quarrying
- road maintenance
- dust management
- traffic management
Nunavut Impact Review Board

28. Employment
Approximately 1000 personnel for construction and 700 for operations
350 personnel on site at any given time
On-the-job training opportunities
Preferential hiring from the communities of Rankin Inlet, Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove, Baker Lake and Arviat
Nunavut Impact Review Board

29. Environmental Assessment
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30. Environmental Assessment
What is an environmental assessment?
Detailed investigation of how a project might impact the environment around it, finding ways to lessen or mitigate impacts
AEM required to develop an Environmental Impact Statement to explain how the project may impact the environment and how it plans to reduce impacts
AEM submitted Draft EIS in January 2013 and a resubmission in April 2013
NIRB sharing information presented by AEM in its Draft EIS
Nunavut Impact Review Board

31. What is Baseline Data? Traditional Knowledge Wildlife
Lower Trophic Communities
Telemetry
Freshwater Habitat
Fish Habitat
Baseline Data is a detailed study of the existing environment before any project is to go ahead. gives us the original conditions so we can see if things change over time, and especially if a project is developed.
Baseline data were collected through a combination of research that has already taken place, and field studies.
Collected by AEM since 1995 to present day including, but not limited to:
Lower trophic communities – zooplankton, periphyton, phytoplankton, benthic invertebrates
Water Quality – Fresh water samples, sediment samples
Terrestrial Environment – Wildlife studies, vegetation studies, bird studies
Sediment Quality
Nunavut Impact Review Board

32. Summary of Impact Assessment
Ecosystemic Environment
Nunavut Impact Review Board

33. Summary of Impact Assessment
Atmospheric Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Climate
Air Quality
Release of greenhouse gases
Dust from construction, blasting, drilling, ore transfer, road maintenance, etc.
Increase of air contaminants of concerns
Use of energy efficient equipment
Use of exhaust emissions controls
Speed limits on roads
Use of dust suppressant
Install air pollution controls
Annual GHG emissions would increase compared to baseline GHG emissions
Assessed as not significant – effects not expected to extend beyond the local area
Ongoing monitoring programs
Nunavut Impact Review Board

34. Summary of Impact Assessment
Atmospheric Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Noise and Vibration
Potential for human health effects from increase in noise and vibration
On-going equipment maintenance
Use of intake and exhaust silencers
Schedule of high noise potential activities
Effects predicted to be below threshold
Assessed as not significant
Nunavut Impact Review Board

35. Summary of Impact Assessment
Aquatic Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Surface Hydrology
Change in stream-flow rates and water levels
Use of large water bodies for water withdrawal and discharge locations
Recycle water where possible
Follow DFO procedures for water withdrawal
Best management practices
Use of mitigation measures to minimize impacts
Assessed as not significant
Ongoing outflow discharge and water level monitoring
Nunavut Impact Review Board

36. Summary of Impact Assessment
Aquatic Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Surface Water
Sediment
Decrease in water and sediment quality from project activities
Water treated to meet regulations prior to discharge
Implement dust control measures
Water collection and diversion structures
Minimize and recycle water where possible
Changes to water quality to occur during operations only
Use of mitigation measures to minimize impacts
No significant adverse effects predicted
Ongoing monitoring programs
Nunavut Impact Review Board

37. Summary of Impact Assessment
Aquatic Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Aquatic Organism and Fish Habitat
Freshwater Fish
Changes to aquatic organisms
Decrease in fish habitat
Decrease in fish health or abundance
Water treated to meet regulations prior to discharge
Limiting disturbance to fish habitat when constructing stream crossings
AEM staff and contractors will not be permitted to fish while on site
Compensation under DFO’s no-net-loss Policy
No significant adverse effects
Ongoing monitoring programs
Nunavut Impact Review Board

38. Summary of Impact Assessment
Terrestrial Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Landforms and Permafrost
Change to permafrost conditions from construction and operation activities
Effects on abundance and distribution of landforms
Design project to minimize footprint area
Avoid permafrost sensitive and uncommon landforms areas
Effects confined to Project footprint
Assessed as not significant
Ongoing monitoring of thaw depth
Nunavut Impact Review Board

39. Summary of Impact Assessment
Terrestrial Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Soils
Vegetation
Change in soil quality
Loss of vegetation from project activities
Structures to control erosion
Soil salvage and storage
Use of dust suppressants
Minimize project footprint
Use of low sulphur diesel fuel
Changes predicted to be below the guidelines
No significant residual effects predicted
Ongoing monitoring programs
Nunavut Impact Review Board

40. Summary of Impact Assessment
Terrestrial Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Terrestrial Wildlife and Habitat
Raptors and Habitat
Migratory Birds
Wildlife mortality risk
Changes to caribou movement and distribution
Loss of habitat from project footprint and human activity
Reduced nest productivity
Road shutdowns when caribou migrating
Minimize site footprint
Minimize road activity
Minimize mining activity near nests
Decrease in available habitat
Exposure to contaminants not expected to change from baseline
Assessed as not significant
Ongoing monitoring programs for caribou and muskox
Nunavut Impact Review Board

41. Summary of Impact Assessment
Marine Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Marine Fish
Change in behaviour from underwater noise
Change in fish habitat
Erosion and sedimentation control
Diversion channels allowing passage of marine fish
Blasting follow DFO guidelines
Noise from vessels are short-term and no long term effects predicted
Assessed as not significant
Nunavut Impact Review Board

42. Summary of Impact Assessment
Marine Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Marine Mammals
Potential vessel-mammal strikes
Change in behaviour from underwater noise
Displacement of marine mammals
Implementation of best management practices and safety standards
Speed and acceleration restrictions in Melvin Bay
Mitigation measures to reduce vessel strikes
Noise levels generated not expected to cause long-term changes to marine wildlife, and low in magnitude
Assessed as not significant
Nunavut Impact Review Board

43. Summary of Impact Assessment
Marine Environment
Valued Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Marine Water Quality
Potential hydrocarbon, hazardous materials spills
Implementation of known and effective spill prevention and response measures
Implementation of best management practices and safety standards
Assessed as not significant and negligible and/or reversible over time
Nunavut Impact Review Board

44. Summary of Impact Assessment
Human Health and
Socio-Economics
Nunavut Impact Review Board

45. Summary of Impact Assessment
Human Health
Issue and Concern
Potential Project Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Exposure to Hazardous Substances and COPC’s from change air quality
Exposure to hazardous substances through inhalation
Implementation of standard work practices
Considered to be of low magnitude and infrequent
Nunavut Impact Review Board

46. Summary of Impact Assessment
Human Health
Issue and Concern
Potential Project Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Members of the Public
Potential risks related to AWAR and road traffic
Environmental effects on caribou and water
Application of best health and safety practice
Emergency response planning
Regular inspection and maintenance of site vehicles
Setting speed limits and firearms restrictions on the AWAR
No residual effects on human health identified
Nunavut Impact Review Board

47. Summary of Impact Assessment
Socio-Economic Environment
Valued Socio-Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Community Economics
Job creation and business opportunities
In-migration to Rankin Inlet
Maximize employment from Kivalliq communities and local businesses
Points of hire in all Kivalliq communities with funded transportation
Significant positive effects
Traditional Culture
Less practice of traditional culture
Potential for more time and resources available for harvesting activities
Ongoing government support for traditional culture
Moderate negative effect to traditional activity
Moderate positive effect to resource availability
Nunavut Impact Review Board

48. Summary of Impact Assessment
Socio-Economic Environment
Valued Socio-Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Wellbeing
Change to well-being
Implementation of the Socio-Economic Management Plan
Significant positive effect
Public Infrastructure and Services
Increased demand for services
Negative effect due to the increased demand on existing housing, schools, health and financial services
Nunavut Impact Review Board

49. Summary of Impact Assessment
Socio-Economic Environment
Valued Socio-Ecosystemic Component
Potential Issues and Effects
Examples of Potential Mitigation
Residual Project Effects
Heritage Resources
Disturbance to archaeological sites
Implement a Cultural and Heritage Resource Protection Plan
Any disturbances are permanent and irreversible
Nunavut Impact Review Board

50. Summary of Impact Assessment
Effects
Assessment
Cumulative Effects
No potential interaction with environmental effects from other human activities
Transboundary Effects
Absence of significant Project and cumulative effects remove the potential for significant transboundary effects
Nunavut Impact Review Board

51. Next Steps in the NIRB Review Process
FEIS
Technical Review
Minister refers project
To NIRB for Review
Issue Scoping and EIS
Guideline Development
NIRB receives DEIS
Internal Conformity
Review to EIS Guidelines
DEIS Technical Review
Technical Meeting
Pre-Hearing Conference
& NIRB Decision
NIRB receives FEIS
Review to PHC decision
Final Hearing
NIRB Reports
to the Minister
Minister’s Decision
NIRB Project Certificate
NIRB Screening Decision
NLCA (b)
*Red circles indicate steps for public input. We are still in second phase (blue), many more steps and opportunities to participate!
Nunavut Impact Review Board

52. Next Steps in the NIRB Review Process
Summary Report from Community Meetings
Technical Review of the Draft EIS
Technical Meeting
Pre-Hearing Conference
Community roundtable session
Then on to Phase 3 in NIRB Review – more participation steps to come
Nunavut Impact Review Board

53. How to stay informed?
Request to be placed on NIRB’s distribution list
You will receive regular updates during the Review
Phone NIRB toll-free and ask to speak to staff about the Project
Visit the NIRB’s public registry and access information related to the review (
Nunavut Impact Review Board

54. The NIRB wants to hear from You!
What do you think about the Project?
Comments, questions or concerns
What environmental components are important to you?
What potential effects do YOU think this Project might have on the land, animals and people?
Nunavut Impact Review Board

55. How to contact the NIRB? Phone (toll-free): 1-866-233-3033
Fax: (867)
Regular post:
Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB)
PO Box 1360
Cambridge Bay, NU
X0B 0C0
Nunavut Impact Review Board

56. Questions?
Nunavut Impact Review Board