About The Project 

During the summer of 2026, Agnico Eagle has carried out work at Pistol Bay Falls to improve fish passage for Arctic char. The goal was to help fish move upstream more easily to reach spawning areas, by modifying a natural barrier in the river.

This project is part of our commitment to protect fish habitat and ensure no net loss of habitat linked to our operations.

Image on right – The Pistol Bay Fall is located 50 km south from the hamlet of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, along the northwest coast of Hudson Bay.

Why this work has been done

  • Arctic char use this river system to move between the ocean and inland lakes

  • A natural waterfall currently makes it difficult for some fish to pass

  • The work will reduce this barrier and improve fish passage over time

This project is based on:

  • previous studies

  • community input

  • collaboration with Inuit organizations and partners

What steps were taken to complete the work

From July 5th to August 31st (following the caribou migration period):

– Helicopters were used to transport workers, equipment and materials due to the remote location of the site

– Construction work took place directly at the waterfall site to change to water flow at the waterfall

– Every effort were made to plan flights carefully and minimize impacts where possible.

All activities were carried out safely and in accordance with applicable regulations and operating procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All work is conducted:

  • Following strict health and safety procedures
  • In compliance with environmental regulations and permits
  • With continuous monitoring on site

The project includes:

  • Environmental monitoring throughout construction
  • Independent oversight to ensure compliance
  • Measures to protect fish and water quality (e.g., fish relocation and sediment control)

Wildlife and environmental conditions are monitored at all times by trained personnel on site. This includes fish protection measures, water quality monitoring and ongoing environmental oversight to ensure the work is done safely.

Due to safety and access constraints, the site will not be accessible during construction. 

To ensure transparency, we will: 

  • share photos and videos of the work
  • provide updates throughout the summer 

The project included several steps:

  • Managing water flow in the area (pumps, water gates and hdpe pipes will be used)
  • Breaking and removing rock to modify the waterfall (mini-excavator, rock hammers, rock splitters and drills will be used)
  • Using helicopters to transport materials in and out

All work was carried out using carefully planned and controlled methods to minimize environmental impacts.

This includes:

  • Fish protection measures, such as temporarily relocating fish before in-water work begins
  • Water management systems (pumps, pipes and flow control) to control how water moves during construction
  • Sediment and erosion control measures to prevent water contamination
  • Continuous environmental monitoring on site, with trained personnel present at all times
  • Mechanical construction methods, used where possible to limit disturbance

This project was designed to deliver long-term environmental benefits. 

After construction: 

  • Monitoring will continue over several years 
  • Data will help us understand how fish use the area
  • Results will be shared with communities 

Caught a tagged fish? Help us track results

As part of this project, some fish have been tagged to help monitor how they move through the area over time. If you catch a tagged fish, you can participate in the program and may be eligible for a $50 reward. 

What to do 

  • Record and take a photo of the tag number

  • Note the location and date when the fish was caught

  • (Optional) Measure the length and weight of the fish 

  • Contact your local community liaison officer (CLO) or email us the information and photo at: Nunavut.Community@agnicoeagle.com 

Why it matters 

The information you provide helps us: 

  • track fish movement 

  • understand how the project is performing 

  • measure long-term results 

This is an important part of the monitoring program, and community participation plays a key role in its success. 

Stay Informed

We will continue to share updates throughout the project:

More Information

For more details (consult maps of the area and additional technical information) you can consult the work execution plan.

Contact us for more information or questions at Nunavut.Community@agnicoeagle.com