NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Regions: North Slave Region

Tags: physical sciences, mining, environmental impact, environmental baseline

Objective(s): The objectives of the research studies are the following: refine understanding of baseline conditions; provide input to design mitigation; evaluate potential changes in the environment in relation to the Izok Project; and contribute to the ongoing data collection of the Arctic environment.

Project Description: This research licence was issued for application # 785. The objectives of the research studies are the following: refine understanding of baseline conditions; provide input to design mitigation; evaluate potential changes in the environment in relation to the Izok Project; and contribute to the ongoing data collection of the Arctic environment. Gartner Lee Limited will collect and review existing documents, reports, studies, and statistics from academic, government, community and development sources regarding biophysical information. After the information has been collected, a preliminary issues list will be drafted. The following field studies are proposed under this Scientific Research Licence: Water and Sediment Quality Sampling: the objectives of these samplings are to capture and measure seasonal water quality variability within lakes, rivers and streams throughout the year. The samples will help measure pre-disturbance conditions and aid the development of an Environmental Impact Statement. The samples will be collected from Ham and Izok lakes located entirely within Nunavut, and from Itchen and Iznogoudh Lakes extending from Nunavut into the NWT, as well as their associated watersheds around the project including the Coppermine River watershed extending into the NWT. Hydrology: Snow Survey and Levelogger Installation: the objectives of the winter trip are to measure late-winter snow depths and densities and to install level-loggers at selected sites. The snow surveys will be conducted in the area of the Ham Lake camp and Izok Lake drainage. Level-loggers will be installed at selected sites in Iznogoudh and Itchen Lake around the proposed mine area. Both lakes extend into the NWT. Soil and Vegetation Sampling: the purpose of the visit will be to collect representative soil and vegetation samples used to gauge background metal and mineral concentrations. Vegetation selected for sampling will only include common species. The samples will provide valuable input into both ecological and human health risk assessments associated with the Izok Project. The sample sites will be chosen within an area approximately 5 km around the proposed mine site extending just inside the NWT border, south of the proposed mine site. Transportation to the proposed mine site will occur using fixed wing aircraft departing from Yellowknife. While on site, field crews will use snowmobiles, helicopters, small fixed wing aircraft and small boats to complete surveys and/or move from site to site. All field staff will be accommodated at the existing Ham Camp. Research results will also be circulated to affected communities and other parties through future information sessions and consultations on the Izok Project. A summary of the data collected including sampling locations, program duration and methodology will also be submitted to the Aurora Research Institute following the completion of field programs. The future Environmental Impact Statement will also be posted on a public registry and the information gathered will be available there. The proposed biophysical baseline research of the Izok Project will offer potential employment opportunities for community residents to be hired as research assistants. Gartner Lee Limited (GLL) and Zinifex Canada Inc. (Zinifex) indicated that they have made it a practice to hire local research assistants so that communities may benefit from the training and employment opportunities. Fieldwork will be conducted from June 09 to December 31, 2008, south of the proposed Izok mine site (in Nunavut, 112°35 W 65° 41 N), along and in the vicinity of the Coppermine River in the NWT.