{"id":114,"date":"2011-03-12T21:08:43","date_gmt":"2011-03-12T21:08:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/inuitownedlands\/?page_id=114"},"modified":"2015-01-30T14:17:11","modified_gmt":"2015-01-30T14:17:11","slug":"mining-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/minerals-oil-and-gas-management\/mining-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Mining Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"lands-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/files\/2011\/03\/img-policy.jpg\" alt=\"img-policy\" width=\"225\" height=\"169\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-212\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"caption-policy\">Strongbow Exploration Agreement Signing<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a name=\"TableOfContents\">Table Of Contents:<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"#Introduction\">Introduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#GuidingPrinciple\">Guiding Principle<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Objectives\">Objectives<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Objective1\">Objective 1<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Objective2\">Objective 2<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Objective3\">Objective 3<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Objective4\">Objective 4<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Objective5\">Objective 5<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div>\n<h1><a name=\"Introduction\">Introduction<\/a><\/h1>\n<p>As  Nunavut&#8217;s population expands, traditional reliance on wildlife  resources for food may need to be supplemented by other economic  activities.  Given the favourable geology which nature has provided us, we may wish  to turn to another resource from the land to contribute to our  livelihood &#8211; Nunavut&#8217;s mineral resources.Exploration for these  resources and the mining of them have the potential to provide many  employment opportunities (both direct and in service industries),  business and investment opportunities, education and training, and  infrastructure improvements in the communities. With proper planning of  mining activities, these benefits will remain long after each  particular mine has shut down.While we recognize the potential benefits  mining can bring, Inuit have concerns about the effects of mining  activities on the land, water, and air, the impact on the flora and  fauna on which we depend, and disruption to our culture and lifestyle.<br \/><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"GuidingPrinciple\">Guiding Principle<\/a><\/h1>\n<p>NTI  will support and promote the development of mineral resources in  Nunavut if there are significant long-term social and economic benefits  for the Inuit of Nunavut, and is consistent with protecting the  eco-systemic integrity of the Nunavut Settlement Area.<br \/><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"Objectives\">Objectives<\/a><\/h1>\n<p>The objectives of NTI&#8217;s mining policy are to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimize The Negative ImpactsEnsure that exploration and mining will be planned and carried out in a way which will have the least possible impact on the environment,  \t        wildlife, habitat, and on the lives and culture of Inuit. <\/li>\n<li>Maximize The Benefits Of Mining To InuitEnsure that to the greatest extent possible, the benefits of mining will remain in Nunavut, both in Nunavut as a whole and in the local communities that are impacted.<\/li>\n<li>Attract Mining InvestmentPromote the development of a political and economic climate which will encourage the mining industry to invest.<\/li>\n<li>Resolve Land Use ConflictsPromote certainty and clarify for land access and resolve land use conflicts.<\/li>\n<li>Improve Consultation and Clarify Decision MakingImprove communications, consultation and coordination among all of the stakeholders and clarify the decision-making process<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"Objective1\">Objective 1<\/a>: Minimize the Negative Impacts<\/h1>\n<p>We  insist that exploration and mining activities take place in a manner  that is sensitive to wildlife, habitat, the environment and traditional  relationships with the land. Ways in which negative impacts can be  reduced include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Minimize the negative impacts on Inuit social life and culture<\/li>\n<li>Prevent pollution of the environment<\/li>\n<li>Protect wildlife and habitat<\/li>\n<li>Return the land to its original state<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>While exploration and mining do have some impact on the environment and  lifestyle of Inuit, this impact can usually be controlled and managed  so that these activities produce the greatest possible benefit with the  least possible negative impact. The following policy statements support  the objectives of minimizing the impacts of mining:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NTI insists that companies must in all ways respect Inuit values and way of life.<\/li>\n<li>NTI requires that companies adhere to an acceptable, recognized code of good environmental practice and pollution prevention.<\/li>\n<li>NTI encourages the development of protection measures or guidelines which  ensure the preservation of flora and fauna, including marine mammals,  which may be impacted by development and related activities.<\/li>\n<li>NTI supports caribou protection measures which provide adequate protection to caribou and habitat.<\/li>\n<li>NTI requires that companies minimize habitat loss due to the construction of roads, airstrips and other infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li>NTI requires that mines be planned, operated, closed and decommissioned,  and disturbed lands be reclaimed, all in an environmentally sound  manner.<\/li>\n<li>NTI insists that any disturbed land be returned to a safe, stable and productive condition. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"Objective2\">Objective 2<\/a>: Maximize the Benefits of Mining to Inuit<\/h1>\n<p>We  wish to maximize benefits from mining, while minimizing negative  impacts to the land and to Inuit culture. Benefits from mining include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Employment<\/li>\n<li>Education and training<\/li>\n<li>Business and investment opportunities<\/li>\n<li>Royalties and other revenues<\/li>\n<li>Infrastructure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Although Inuit will benefit from exploration and mining activities on  all lands within Nunavut, the greatest return of benefits will be from  activities which take place on Inuit Owned Lands (IOL). The following  policy statements support the objective of maximizing the benefits of  mining:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NTI encourages active participation of Inuit in exploration and mining.<\/li>\n<li>NTI recognizes the need to increase the employment opportunities for Inuit  in all levels of the industry and in the related service sector.<\/li>\n<li>NTI supports preferential hiring of Inuit in all stages of exploration and mining.<\/li>\n<li>NTI encourages mining companies, educational institutions and Government to  work together with the communities to ensure that the local population  has the appropriate knowledge and training to take advantage of all  levels of employment opportunities within and related to the industry.<\/li>\n<li>NTI requires companies to provide business opportunities to competitive Inuit firms.<\/li>\n<li>NTI supports policies which optimize the royalties and other revenues from mining on both IOL and Crown land.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"Objective3\">Objective 3<\/a>: Attract Mining Investment<\/h1>\n<p>All areas compete with all others around the world for mining  investment. It is important to remember that mining is a business, and  therefore must make a sufficient return on investment. NTI recognizes  the value of mining to economic development in Nunavut. NTI also  recognizes that certainty with respect to mineral tenure and the right  to mine is critical to mineral investment, and acknowledges the need to  improve the certainty of mineral tenure. Local conditions, such as the  cost of doing business and uncertainty as to whether the residents want  mining, will also influence decisions about mining investment. Ways in  which mining investment can be drawn to Nunavut include: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Provide certainty of mineral tenure.<\/li>\n<li>Provide an efficient regulatory regime.<\/li>\n<li>Develop cooperative working relationships and partnerships <\/li>\n<li>Provide services and support <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following policy statements support the objectives of attracting mineral investment: <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NTI will take a pro-active approach in creating a political and economic climate in which the mining industry will invest. <\/li>\n<li>NTI acknowledges the need to improve the certainty of mineral tenure. <\/li>\n<li>NTI supports the streamlining of environmental regulations for mining. <\/li>\n<li>NTI encourages the mining industry, governments, Inuit organizations and  communities to establish cooperative working relationships. <\/li>\n<li>NTI encourages the development of programs to ensure the availability of services and support. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"Objective4\">Objective 4<\/a>: Resolve Land Use Conflicts<\/h1>\n<p>Inuit  land use priorities will not always be the same as those of mining  companies. We wish to keep certain areas intact, free from any kind of  development. The mining industry is very concerned about the removal of  land form exploration and mining. If lands are excluded from  exploration and mining they will not provide the benefits of mining  activities. Some land in Nunavut which has good mineral potential is  currently withdrawn or is proposed to be withdrawn. Because the  objectives of Inuit and the objectives of mining companies are not  always the same, land use conflicts will occasionally arise. Some ways  to deal with these conflicts include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Develop and implement socio-economic terms and conditions.<\/li>\n<li>Develop a comprehensive land use philosophy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following policy statements support the objective of resolving land use conflicts:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NTI insists that mining companies adhere to socio-economic terms and conditions on any mineral project being developed in Nunavut. <\/li>\n<li>NTI recognizes that areas with high mineral potential must be carefully evaluated prior to any decisions regarding land use. <\/li>\n<li>NTI supports land use activities that reflect the priorities and values of Inuit. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/p>\n<h1><a name=\"Objective5\">Objective 5<\/a>: Improve Consultation and Clarify Decision &#8211; Making<\/h1>\n<p>Sound  decisions on issues related to exploration and mining cannot be made  unless all parties are fully informed about the issues and there are  processes in place to communicate with all of the interested parties.  There must also be coordination of the decision-makes. All stakeholders  should be given a meaningful opportunity to participate in  decision-making. Processes should be open, transparent, timely, and  well-defined. Factors that assist improved consultation and  decision-making include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cultural sensitivity. <\/li>\n<li>Effective communications among all stakeholders. <\/li>\n<li>Use of the best available information and knowledge in decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The following policy statements support the objective of improving consultation and clarifying decision-making.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>NTI shall encourage and promote cultural sensitivity in all mining activities. <\/li>\n<li>NTI requires  that companies carry out meaningful consultations with Inuit  organizations, government and affected communities prior to and  throughout the duration of exploration and mining projects. <\/li>\n<li>NTI requires  that decisions concerning exploration and mine development be based on  appropriate traditional knowledge and scientific information. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"#TableOfContents\">Index<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strongbow Exploration Agreement Signing Table Of Contents: Introduction Guiding Principle Objectives Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Objective 4 Objective 5 Introduction As Nunavut&#8217;s population expands, traditional reliance on wildlife resources for food may need to be supplemented by other economic activities. Given the favourable geology which nature has provided us, we may wish to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/minerals-oil-and-gas-management\/mining-policy\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Mining Policy<\/span> <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":159,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/114"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/114\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":213,"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/114\/revisions\/213"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ntilands.tunngavik.com\/iu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}