Company submits proposal for Nunavut zinc-copper mine

Chinese-owned Minerals and Metals Group has handed over its proposal for a zinc-copper mine in the Kitikmeot region to the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

The project proposal is the first step in the regulatory review process.

Ryan Barry, executive director for NIRB, said the company's decision to go through with the review shows confidence in the project.

"They only do it when they are sure that they are wanting to proceed with a development project like this," he said.

"The cost for these projects can be up to into the billions of dollars so they have to a reasonable level of confidence that they can actually developthey've done a previous feasibility study and they can go through an environmental process."

MMG wants to export 180,000 tonnes of zinc and 50,000 tonnes of copper a year from its Izok lake and High Lake properties near the Nunavut/N.W.T. border.

The company plans to build a port at Grays Bay on the Coronation Gulf and a 350 kilometre all-weather road connecting it to the mining sites.

The general public has until Nov. 30 to express their concerns to the board about MMG's proposed mine.