Baffinland's icebreaking proposal too disruptive for Nunavut regulator

For the first time in its oversight of Baffinland's Mary River project, the Nunavut Planning Commission has found the mining company's plans do notconform with the territory'sland use plan.

Baffinland wants to triple the amount of ore shipped from Milne Inlet on northern Baffin Island to 12 million tonnes per year.

That would mean shipping ore from the site10 months of the year instead of only during the summer, requiringicebreakers travelling through what the commissioncallsessential areas.

Hunter Tootoo, the commission's chair, says Baffinland's new planwould require icebreaking from Milne Inlet through Eclipse Sound in front of Pond Inlet,all the way out to Baffin Bay.

"In the plan there's essential areaswhich areharvesting areas and community transportation routes," said Tootoo.

"This ice-breaking disrupts that."

The commissionsays Baffinland can still move about two-thirds of itsore duringthe previously-agreed periodof June toOctober.

Baffinland can apply for an exemption or revise its project plans.

Tootoo says the commission's decision was not a simple one.

"Believe me, it was many hours and many days of hard work."