At Agnico Eagle’s Hope Bay Project in Nunavut, a thoughtful balance between resource development and environmental stewardship has always been a guiding principle. One of the most notable examples of this commitment is the fish habitat enhancement initiative at Robert’s Lake Outflow, where fish habitat improvements have ensured the effective migration of Arctic char and lake trout while preserving the surrounding tundra habitat.

A Response to Habitat Challenges

In 2012, a significant environmental challenge was identified at Robert’s Lake, where a natural boulder garden created barriers for fish migrating upstream during low water flow. To mitigate this, the Environment team along with external consultants constructed three new channels through a “stranding zone,” significantly improving fish passage. These channels, complemented by staging pools on either side of a boulder field, also provided critical rearing areas for juvenile Arctic char and other species.

This project was part of a broader “No Net Loss” policy under the Federal Fisheries Act. This policy mandates that any harmful alteration, disruption, or destruction of fish habitat must be offset by enhancements elsewhere. For Hope Bay, this meant a focus on restoring fish habitats impacted by the development of Tail Lake as a tailings impoundment area (TIA).

Innovative, Minimal Impact Methods

Habitat improvement work was carried out with minimal disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem. A portable Micro-Blaster System was used to split and remove large boulders safely, avoiding the need for heavy machinery. Hand tools and careful planning ensured tundra habitat remained intact while improving conditions for fish migration.

 

Ongoing Monitoring for Long-term Success

To evaluate the usage of fish habitat post-enhancement, a fish fence monitoring program was conducted for three years starting in 2013. The initial fish fence program utilized automatic fish counters capturing photos to identify fish as they passed through the fence.  Starting in 2021, the Hope Bay Environment team deployed solar-powered underwater cameras to record video of fish movements through the fish fence, collecting valuable data on species, size, and migration patterns. Artificial intelligence was utilized to sort video and identify species using the passage.  Throughout the study years, habitat improvements have demonstrated successful fish migration through the channel improvements,  underscoring the effectiveness of this initiative.

In 2022, utilizing the same equipment as the previous year, the program also focused on documenting the behavior of lake trout, whose migration timing differs from Arctic char. While lake trout often use the enhanced channels for foraging rather than migration, their presence confirms the habitat’s suitability for multiple species.

A Shared Commitment to the Land

The success of this project highlights Agnico Eagle’s commitment to responsible environmental management and its respect for the resources and Inuit communities near Hope Bay. By safeguarding fish habitats and reducing the project’s ecological footprint, the Hope Bay team shows that responsible resource development and environmental stewardship can co-exist together.