Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation signs Inuit Certainty Agreement with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association

IQALUIT, NU, July 6, 2020 – Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (“Baffinland” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the signing of an Inuit Certainty Agreement (“ICA”) with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association (“QIA”) on June 16th, 2020.

The signing of the ICA represents an important milestone in the development of the Mary River Project and provides greater certainty to Inuit that, should the Phase 2 proposal be approved, operations at Mary River will be managed in accordance with Inuit Societal Values and include expanded financial benefits for Inuit. This agreement also strengthens the relationship between QIA and Baffinland and represents a reaffirmed commitment to the responsible development of the Mary River Project on Inuit Owned Lands. 

Earlier this year QIA and Baffinland began work to outline the process to reach agreement on commitments required to address concerns brought forward by Inuit during the Phase 2 environmental assessment process. The parties have since reached agreement on a series of commitments, primarily in respect of certain environmental, cultural, and economic matters related to the current operation as well as those outlined by the Phase 2 Project Proposal. The ICA introduces Inuit-led monitoring and governance initiatives that will ensure current and future operations respect Inuit values and ways of life through collaborative Inuit and Company efforts. This agreement places a high value on partnership and collaboration between Inuit and industry for mutual long term success. 

The commitments agreed to under the ICA will be incorporated into the Mary River Project Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement and Commercial Lease.

Baffinland is proud of the work completed to reach agreement with the QIA on many of the issues that have been of concern to Inuit with respect to the current operation and expansion of the Mary River Project. We look forward to working with the QIA and with impacted communities to ensure the ICA is implemented to its fullest extent. 

For more information:
Andrew Moore
Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs
Baffinland Iron Mines
T: (416) 997-1495
andrew.moore@baffinland.com  

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About Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation
Jointly owned by Nunavut Iron Ore and ArcelorMittal, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation operates a high-grade iron ore mine located on Baffin Island, Nunavut. Our mine produces the highest grade of direct shipping iron ore in the world. Baffinland has applied for permits to increase annual shipments. Baffinland is committed to operating the Mary River Mine in an environmentally and socially responsible manner that benefits all stakeholders. Learn more at baffinland.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.