Featured Project
Mary River Project
The Mary River Project is located on Baffin Island in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut, Canada. The mine involves a 22.2 million tonne per year (Mtpa) open pit iron ore mining operation, construction of a 145 km rail line over continuous permafrost, construction of a deep-sea port, and year-round shipping using ice‑breaking bulk carriers. An initial 4.2 Mtpa operation was commissioned in 2015. The project owner, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation, is currently seeking approval for a stepwise expansion to 30 Mtpa.
Knight Piésold’s Role
Knight Piésold has been providing environmental services for the project since 2004, including:
- Traditional knowledge/Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit studies
- Lead on meteorology, hydrology, water quality, ecological land classification, and socio-economic baseline studies and impact assessments
- Aquatic effects monitoring plan development
- Public consultation support
- Permitting support to exploration and bulk sampling
- Ongoing regulatory support including annual environmental reporting
- Lead consultant on the draft environmental impact statement, and technical lead on an expansion project currently underway
In addition, Knight Piésold has also provided engineering services, including:
- Geotechnical engineering investigations supporting mine, rail, road, and port infrastructure including off-shore drilling at dock locations
- Geomechanical investigations and design of open pit and railway cuts and tunnels
- Pre-feasibility study of renewable energy alternatives (hydroelectric and wind)
- Engineering support to advanced exploration and bulk sample programs
