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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Nunavut Impact Review Board Water Freshwater biota

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 1080. 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

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

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

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

The NIRB Review Process for the Meliadine Gold Mine Project NIRB Screening Decision NLCA 12.4.4.(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

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

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

Project Details Nunavut Impact Review Board

Meliadine Project Location Nunavut Impact Review Board

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 Nunavut Impact Review Board

Tiriganiaq/main mine Site Nunavut Impact Review Board

Meliadine Site Nunavut Impact Review Board

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 Nunavut Impact Review Board

OTHER DEPOSITS Wesmeg F Zone Pump Nunavut Impact Review Board

OTHER DEPOSITS Discovery Nunavut Impact Review Board

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 Nunavut Impact Review Board

RANKIN INLET Nunavut Impact Review Board

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 Nunavut Impact Review Board

Site Access ROads Bypass Road Alignment Nunavut Impact Review Board

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

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

Environmental Assessment Nunavut Impact Review Board

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

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

Summary of Impact Assessment Ecosystemic Environment Nunavut Impact Review Board

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 12.4.4.(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

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

How to stay informed? Request to be placed on NIRB’s email 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 (http://ftp.nirb.ca) Nunavut Impact Review Board

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

How to contact the NIRB? Phone (toll-free): 1-866-233-3033 Fax: (867) 983-2594 Email: info@nirb.ca Regular post: Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) PO Box 1360 Cambridge Bay, NU X0B 0C0 Nunavut Impact Review Board

Questions? Nunavut Impact Review Board