Baffinland and QIA approve 2017 IIBA Work Plan for Mary River Mine

Arctic Bay, Nunavut, May 15, 2017 – Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association have approved the first comprehensive annual work plan for the Mary River Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) at a Joint IIBA Executive Committee meeting in Arctic Bay.

The overall objective of the 2017 IIBA Work Plan is to increase Inuit employment and training.

Key activities included in the 2017 IIBA Work Plan:

• Completion of an Inuit Human Resource Strategy,
• Completion of an Inuit Procurement and Contracting Strategy,
• Approval of a Minimum Inuit Employment Plan,
• Approval of an Employment and Training Plan,
• Development and completion of Workplace Conditions Surveys.

Baffinland and QIA representatives have pledged more resources, new strategies, and increased collaboration towards the implementation of the IIBA. This includes the re-instatement of the Work Readiness program for Inuit considering a job at Baffinland, the development of an apprenticeship program for Inuit interested in a job in mining, increased Baffinland presence within the North Baffin communities, and more collaboration with outside resources, such as the Government of Nunavut and Arctic College.

Baffinland and QIA look forward to collaborating with Inuit in the Qikiqtani region on the execution of the 2017 IIBA Work Plan.

As IIBA committee co-chairs, QIA’s community Director Levi Barnabas and Baffinland’s Vice President of Sustainable Development Todd Burlingame will guide the implementation of the 2017 IIBA Work Plan, with oversight and reporting directly to QIA president P.J. Akeeagok and Baffinland Chief Executive Officer Brian Penney.

The work plan proceeded the Mary River Annual Project Review in Arctic Bay on May 9th and 10th.

Following the Annual Project Review Forum, Baffinland and QIA will be preparing a report including recommendations that stem from the issues and concerns raised by community participants at the meeting. Baffinland and QIA must present a response for how they will work to address each recommendation made at the annual project review forum. This report will be sent back to participants, and made public, 90 days following the end of the meetings.

For more information contact:

Jason Leite
Communications Specialist
Baffinland Iron Mines
Phone: (416) 364-8820 ext. 5032
Cell: (416) 529-2624
Jason.Leite@baffinland.com

Sima Sahar Zerehi
Director of Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(867) 975-8413 or 1 800 667-2742
szerehi@qia.ca