Nanisivik Mine

Nanisivik Mine

Aerial view of the company town of Nanisivik
Location
Nanisivik Mine
Location in Canada
Location Nanisivik
Territory Nunavut
Country Canada
Coordinates 73°02′40″N 084°32′14″W / 73.04444°N 84.53722°W / 73.04444; -84.53722Coordinates: 73°02′40″N 084°32′14″W / 73.04444°N 84.53722°W / 73.04444; -84.53722
Production
Products Zinc
Lead
Silver
History
Opened 1970s
Closed 2002
Owner
Company Breakwater Resources
Website Breakwater Resources
Year of acquisition 1996 (Breakwater)

Nanisivik Mine was a zinc-lead mine in the company town of Nanisivik, Nunavut, 750 km (470 mi) 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.[3]

The mine was served by a port and dock located about 2.7 km (1.6 mi) north. It was used for shipping concentrate from the site, and receiving supplies (73°04′08″N 084°32′57″W / 73.06889°N 84.54917°W / 73.06889; -84.54917 (Nanisivik Dock (Nanisivik Mine))). It is currently used by the Canadian Coast Guard for training.[4]

The mine also had its own airport (Nanisivik Airport) located about 7 km (4.3 mi) southwest and was the main airport for Arctic Bay, until they expanded their own airport. The airport is about 19 km (12 mi) directly southeast of Arctic Bay but the road between them is 32 km (20 mi).[5]

See also

References

  1. "Government will continue seeking positive legacy from Nanisivik mine closure, minister says". Archived from the original on 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-08-20.
  2. Canadian Mines Handbook 2003-2004. Toronto, Ontario: Business Information Group. 2003. p. 591. ISBN 0-919336-60-4. ISSN 0068-9289.
  3. "Background on Free Trade and the Canadian Mining Industry". Val d'or Star. 1988-07-06. p. 19. Retrieved 2016-02-24. The Northwest Territories boast two of the world's most northerly mines; Polaris on Little Cornwallis Island and Nanisivik on Baffin Island. Both are Lead and Zinc mines.
  4. "Arcticnet - Naval gazing: Looking for a High Arctic port". Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  5. Arctic Bay and Nanisivik
Nanisivik Zinc-Lead Ore
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