Itivia Project2020-05-14T15:06:03+00:00

The Itivia Project

To support the Meliadine mine project, infrastructure will be constructed in the Rankin Inlet Itivia Harbour area.

In the Spring and Summer of 2017, Agnico will begin the construction of the Itivia project which consists of three phases:

  • Construction of a laydown area for the transfer of sea cans
  • Construction of fuel tanks in the fuel farm area
  • Construction of a 6 km bypass road south of the airstrip to Itivia

The bypass road will significantly reduce traffic in Rankin Inlet by allowing traffic from Itivia to bypass the Hamlet in delivering materials and fuel directly to the Meliadine site. This will increase the safety of municipal roads and reduce potential dust generation in town.

However, during construction, some noise and dust will be generated.  This will primarily be from increased traffic, drilling, crushing and blasting activities.

To learn more about the potential impacts and stay up to date on our progress we invite you to visit our project updates section. You can also sign up to be notified when our activities are expected to be audible in your community.

Timeline

  • 2010 – Agnico Eagle acquires 100% interest in Comaplex Minerals (Meliadine)

  • 2015 – Project certificate for Meliadine issued by NIRB

  • 2015 – Agnico Eagle and the KIA sign original IIBA

  • 2016 – Type A Water Licence approval received

  • 2017 – Agnico Eagle Board of Directors approves construction

  • 2019 – Meliadine mine expected to begin operations

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Itivia Project Map
Project Updates
FAQ’s
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Project Updates

Progress Update on Dust Suppression

Progress Update on Dust Suppression

Following July 27th community meeting, Agnico is proving a dust control action plan on its road within the community.

New Road Signage Installed

New Road Signage Installed

To ensure the safety of the community Agnico Eagle has installed new traffic signs. Click the image below to see the signs and learn more.

Itivia Project Phases

Itivia Project Phases

Agnico Eagle has now begun the construction of the Itivia project. Click the image below to learn more about the three project phases.

Itivia Project Timeline and Potential Impacts

Itivia Project Timeline and Potential Impacts

During the construction of the Itivia project some disruption will occur.  Learn more about the impacts and timing by clicking below.

The Itivia Project – Overview

The Itivia Project – Overview

To support the Meliadine mine project new infrastructure is being built in the Itivia Harbour area. See our project factsheet to learn more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has the Meliadine Extension been approved?2022-11-09T16:13:41+00:00

The extension of Meliadine has not yet been approved. Right now, we are in the permitting process to obtain the necessary approvals from the Nunavut Planning Commission, the Nunavut Impact Review Board, Nunavut Water Board, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada. The permitting process includes the Environment Assessment which outlines what the proposed Extension includes and what its benefits and potential impacts are. It also outlines consultation with communities and how we plan to monitor and mitigate the project’s effects.

Question #2 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:10:28+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #3 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:10:46+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #4 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:10:59+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #5 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:11:16+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

Question #6 Meliadine Extension Page2022-11-09T16:11:30+00:00

Answer/descritpion here

What is the Meliadine project?2017-07-14T17:26:50+00:00

  • The Meliadine mine Gold Project is Agnico Eagle’s second major project in the Kivalliq region of Nunavut, following the Meadowbank mine. The construction of all infrastructures is now ongoing till 2019 and the start-up of the mine operations are expected to begin in late 2019.
What is the Itivia Project?2017-07-14T17:28:00+00:00

  • The Itivia project helps support the Meliadine mine project with the construction of infrastructure in the Rankin Inlet Itivia Harbour area. This project consists of 3 phases:
    • Construction of a laydown area for the transfer of sea cans
    • The construction of fuel tanks in the fuel farm area
    • Construction of a 6 km bypass road south of the airstrip to Itivia.
Did Agnico Eagle consult with the local community and public before proceeding with the project?2017-07-14T17:45:59+00:00

  • For the Itivia project, Agnico held an information open house in as well as a door-to-door visit to each home in the neighbourhood closest to Itivia Quarry to explain the different phases of the project as well as posted all key information on aemnunvut.ca
  • Since Agnico Eagle acquired the Meliadine project in 2010, the company has held many community meetings to explain during the different phases of the permitting process and is required by the NIRB. This long process involved thorough documentation, many public presentations, as well as many other initiatives.
  • A general timeline for Meliadine project is as follows:
    • 2010 – Agnico Eagle acquires 100% interest in Comaplex Minerals (Meliadine)
    • 2015 – Project certificate for Meliadine issued by NIRB
    • 2015 – Agnico Eagle and the KIA sign original IIBA
    • 2016 – Type A Water Licence approval received
    • 2017 – Agnico Eagle Board of Directors approves construction
    • 2019 – Meliadine mine expected to begin operations
What is the first phase of the construction?2017-07-14T17:48:51+00:00

  • The first phase of the Itivia project is to prepare the laydown area
  • Most equipment and material required for the construction of the mine site will be transported via ships during the summer sea lift.
  • Between July and December, material offloaded from the ships will be transported to the Meliadine site.
  • To ensure a smooth transfer of material from the barges to the Meliadine site, Agnico needed to expand the actual laydown area.
  • This will provide adequate space for the transit of sea cans brought in during the barge season
What is the second phase of the construction?2017-07-14T17:49:01+00:00

  • The second phase of the Itivia Project is the construction of the fuel farm
  • Agnico will construct 2 fuel tanks store 13 million litres of fuel
  • The fuel will then be transported to the mine site.
  • The construction of the Itivia fuel farm area requires drilling and blasting to set the tanks on solid bedrocks
What is the third phase of the construction?2017-07-14T17:35:05+00:00

  • A 6 km bypass road will be built south of the airstrip to Itivia. This will allow traffic from Itivia to bypass the Hamlet in delivering materials and fuel to the Meliadine mine site.
  • For safety reasons, the bypass road will only be open to trucks transporting material and fuel to Meliadine
  • Construction of the bypass road is scheduled to be completed by November 2017
  • The location of the bypass road will was designed to avoid the west end of the airstrip allowing Nunavut Airports to expand the airstrip if needed.
  • The bypass road will also avoid Nipissa Lake watershed, the Hamlet’s water intake source.
Where is the Itivia Quarry located?2017-07-17T15:18:41+00:00

  • The Itivia Quarry is located on elevated bedrock in the southern portion of the Rankin Inlet Community, view map.
Why are we building a bypass road?2017-07-14T17:38:51+00:00

  • Agnico will need to transport between 20,000 and 40,000 tonnes of material along with 30 million litres of fuel each year from Rankin to the mine site.
  • Having a bypass road will significantly reduce traffic in Rankin Inlet and thus will increase the safety and reduce potential dust generation in town.
Why does Agnico Eagle need to blast in the Itivia quarry?2017-07-14T17:38:08+00:00

  • Agnico Eagle needs to extract material from the existing Itivia Quarry to build the new laydown area for the transit of the sea cans brought in during the barge season
  • Material from the quarry is also needed to build the 6 km bypass road to allow traffic from Itivia to bypass the Hamlet in delivering materials and fuel to the Meliadine mine site.
When is the bypass road construction expected to be completed?2017-07-14T17:39:27+00:00

  • By the end of November 2017
What are the potential impacts for the community during the construction of the Itivia project?2017-07-14T17:40:36+00:00

  • The Itivia project will generate disturbance such as increased traffic, noise, dust and vibration. During the construction and operation stage, sensory disturbances to wildlife may occur.
  • The construction activity will also create an inconvenience for those individuals wanting to use the boat launch
What will generate noise during the construction?2017-07-14T17:41:09+00:00

  • During construction, noise will be generated primarily from increased traffic, drilling, crushing and blasting activities. The Rankin Inlet baseline is between 54 to 64 dB in the daytime and 45 to 52 dB at night. Noise levels are anticipated to increase a maximum of 6 decibels above the actual Rankin Inlet baseline. The noise should not exceed the dial tone of a telephone for example.
  • Agnico will limit blasting operations during normal daytime hours only.
Where will the vibrations come from?2017-07-17T15:15:56+00:00

  • Vibrations will result from quarry blast expected to occur 2-3 times per week.
  • Little or no vibrations have resulted from Laydown area blasts that occurred in May and June.
  • All blasts are monitored for vibration using seismometers.
  • There are 5 seismometers located in the neighbourhood near Itivia
What has Agnico planned to mitigate dust issues?2017-07-14T17:42:31+00:00

  • Agnico is working with the Hamlet to help minimize dust issues
    • All Agnico vehicles must adhere to a speed limit of 15km/hr
    • The crusher is equipped with a bag house and is located in an area to minimize dust emissions.
    • Loading, hauling and placing of materials and sea cans are not expected to generate dust however a dust suppressant will be used when required.
    • A dust suppressant will be used on roads when required.
What will traffic be like within the community boundaries?2017-07-17T15:14:41+00:00

  • The containers as well as other equipment pieces are transported by trucks from the Itivia area to the Meliadine mine site;
  • The transfer of all the material from the Itivia harbour to the mine site will be done on a 14 hours/day schedule between the hours of 6:00 am and 8:00 pm.
How will Agnico ensure safety while increasing traffic within the boundaries of the community?2017-07-14T17:43:45+00:00

  • Agnico has implemented a strict speed limit of 15km per hour for all of its vehicles traveling through Rankin.
  • In order to ensure the safety of the community and reduce any risk of an incident, we have installed extra traffic signage around Rankin Inlet. The goal is to remind Agnico Eagle truck drivers of safe driving practices. The signs will be removed in November, once the bypass road is operating.
  • Daily tool box meetings take place to remind Agnico Eagle truck drivers of the need to importance of respecting speed limit, signage and pedestrians.
  • Pedestrians have the right of way.
  • All areas such as the boat launch, the laydown area, the Itivia Quarry will be properly demarcated with signage.
Are there any risks associated with the location of the fuel tanks to the airport?2017-07-14T17:34:25+00:00

  • A complete risk assessment was conducted by Agnico Eagle along with NAV Canada on deciding the best location for the tanks.
  • NAV Canada approved the location based on the risk assessment
Will Agnico restore the ITIVIA area following construction?2017-07-14T17:36:26+00:00

  • Following the construction phase, Agnico Eagle will restore the Itivia quarry area to ensure a safer, and nicer looking area for the community.
How many ships is Agnico Eagle expecting this summer?2017-07-14T17:44:53+00:00

  • Agnico is expecting 8 ships to come in, between July and end of October
  • This represents approximately 1900 containers plus construction equipment and materials, as well as underground equipment.
  • The barge season will generate an increase in traffic within the boundaries of the harbour.
Can boaters park their trailers in the Itivia Harbour while construction is going on?2017-07-14T17:44:18+00:00

  • Yes, boat trailers can be parked at the usual spot while construction is ongoing.
Will boaters be able to moor their boat when the barge is there?2017-07-14T17:45:21+00:00

  • Boats can be moored at the Itivia Harbour at all times, even when the barges are being unloaded.
Where can I go to for questions or to make a formal complaint?2017-07-17T15:13:23+00:00

File a complaint to our Nunavut Community Complaints System tusaajugut@agnicoeagle.com

Corporate Profile

Agnico Eagle’s mission is to run a high quality, easy to understand business, that generates superior long-term per share returns for our shareholders, creates a great place to work for our employees, and that is a leading contributor to the well-being of the communities in which we operate.

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