NWT RESEARCH DATABASE

Tags: physical sciences, environmental assessment, mining, water quality, soil, vegetation, hydrology, limnology, sediment quality

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

Project Description: 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. The Minerals and Metals Group (MMG) Canada team of environmental consultants 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 samples 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 numerous lakes, including 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: Levelogger Installation: 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 with a shovel 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 chose within an area approximately 5km around the Izok project site extending just inside the NWT border, south of the proposed mine site. The data collected during this project will contribute to the understanding of the regional ecosystem. This information will be used to identify potential interactions with the proposed Project and will provide a solid basis for assessment of project effects and development of effective mitigation measures and management plans. Community residents will be trained and hired as research assistants. A summary of the data collected including sampling locations, times and methodology will be submitted to the Aurora Research Institute following the completion of field programs. Research results may also be circulated to communities and other parties through future information sessions and consultations. The fieldwork for this study will be conducted from May 15, 2012 to November 30, 2012.