Mary River Project

Project Overview

The Mary River Project is located on Baffin Island in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut, Canada. The project is approved as a 22.2 million tonne per year (Mtpa) open pit iron ore mining operation, with a railway over continuous permafrost 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.

Project Role

Knight Piésold has been providing environmental services for the project since 2004, including:

• Traditional knowledge/Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit studies
• Environmental assessment lead on freshwater, socio-economics, accidents and malfunctions, cumulative effects
• Developed the aquatic effects monitoring plan
• Public consultation support
• Permitting support to exploration and bulk sampling
• Ongoing regulatory support including annual environmental reporting
• Lead consultant on the original environmental impact statement
• Lead technical author and coordination of water licensing related to the 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