advancing to production
100%-owned Mary River iron ore deposits, Baffin Island, Nunavut Territory, Canada.
Message: Baffinland & Qikiqtani Inuit Assoc Sign MOU for the Proposed Mary River Project
| March 31, 2009 |
| Baffinland and Qikiqtani Inuit Association Sign MOU for the Proposed Mary River Project |
| TORONTO, ONTARIO and IQALUIT, NUNAVUT--(Marketwire - March 31, 2009) - Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation ("Baffinland" or the "Company")(TSX:BIM) and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association ("QIA") are pleased to announce that a memorandum of understanding (an "MOU") has been successfully negotiated concerning detailed provisions intended to form part of a future Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement (an "IIBA"). Subject areas included in the MOU are employment, training and education, contracting and business opportunities, workplace conditions for Inuit employees and contractors, as well as community support. Although these provisions are subject to review and refinement based on the outcomes of the regulatory review process currently being undertaken by the Nunavut Impact Review Board ("NIRB"), agreement by the parties is an important step leading to an IIBA. Central to these negotiations has been an underlying principle of mutual benefit for the Inuit and Baffinland that would result from development of the Mary River Project. Under Article 26 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, an IIBA is a prerequisite for the development of the Mary River Project. More importantly, an IIBA is a facilitating mechanism for Inuit engagement in major projects through the establishment of provisions with the Company across a broad range of subject areas. "Baffinland and the QIA began negotiations in earnest early in the development process and the signing of this MOU is reflective of a strong relationship that we strive to have with all of our stakeholders. The negotiating teams are to be commended for tremendous efforts in working towards an agreement that works for both parties", stated Mr. Gordon McCreary, President and CEO of Baffinland. Mr. Thomasie Alikatuktuk, President of the QIA, stated, "We have been working with Baffinland for several years now. The QIA has a strong relationship with the Company and we are committed to establishing an IIBA framework that will help unlock the tremendous potential of the Inuit with the Mary River Project." Activities consistent with many of the provisions of the MOU have been taking place during the exploration and bulk sample programs undertaken to date at Mary River. For example, jointly with the QIA, Qikiqtaaluk Corporation and Kakivak Association, ten students, together with a respected elder from the community of Igloolik, have just completed a six week practical and classroom training program hosted by Baffinland's diamond drilling contractor, Springdale Forest Resources, and the College of the North Atlantic, in Springdale, Newfoundland. The training program was held to prepare driller helpers for the upcoming field season at Mary River and was made possible with the financial support of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada through the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership. Baffinland is a Canadian publicly-traded junior mining company that is focused on its wholly-owned Mary River iron ore deposits located on Baffin Island, Nunavut Territory, Canada. The QIA administers the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement for, and represents the interests of the Inuit of the Baffin Region of Nunavut. Qikiqtaaluk Corporation is QIA's wholly-owned business arm, and Kakivak Association is QIA's community economic development and training organization. |
2 Recommendations
Loading...
Loading...
New Message
Please
login
to post a reply