Nanisivik Mine Explained

Nanisivik Mine
Pushpin Map:Canada Nunavut#Canada
Pushpin Label:Nanisivik Mine
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Canada
Coordinates:73.0444°N -84.5372°W
Place:Nanisivik
Subdivision Type:Territory
State/Province:Nunavut
Country:Canada
Owner:Breakwater Resources
Official Website:Breakwater Resources
Acquisition Year:1996 (Breakwater)
Products:Zinc
lead
silver
Opening Year:1976
Closing Year:2002

Nanisivik Mine was a zinc-lead mine in the company town of Nanisivik, Nunavut, north of the Arctic Circle on Baffin Island. It was Canada's first mine in the Arctic.[1] The mine first opened on 15 October 1976 and permanently closed in September 2002 due to low metal prices and declining resources. Mine reclamation began in April 2003.[2] It was one of the most northerly mines in the world.

The mine was served by a port and dock located about north. It was used for shipping concentrate from the site, and receiving supplies. It is currently used by the Canadian Coast Guard for training[3] and is intended to become Nanisivik Naval Facility.

The mine also had its own airport (Nanisivik Airport) located about southwest and was the main airport for Arctic Bay, until they expanded the Arctic Bay Airport. The airport is about directly southeast of Arctic Bay but the road between them is .[4]

Climate

Nanisivik has a tundra climate (ET) with long, cold winters and very short, chilly summers that are rarely mild. Early winter tends to be snowiest period of the year, with around 40% of all yearly snowfall falling during this short period.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Government will continue seeking positive legacy from Nanisivik mine closure, minister says. 20 August 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070313094040/http://www.gov.nu.ca/Nunavut/English/news/2002/oct/oct1.shtml . 13 March 2007.
  2. Book: Canadian Mines Handbook 2003–2004 . Business Information Group . 2003 . . 591 . 0068-9289 . 0-919336-60-4.
  3. Web site: Arcticnet – Naval gazing: Looking for a High Arctic port. 7 August 2007.
  4. http://www.gov.nu.ca/Nunavut/English/about/ARCTIC.PDF Arctic Bay and Nanisivik