An Introduction to Mineral Exploration and Mining

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An Introduction to Mineral Exploration and Mining
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History of Mining in Nunavut

• 1200 Ruin Island (Thule) culture
• 1400-1700 Copper Inuit
• 1577 Martin Frobisher
• 1875 Coal mining on Ellesmere Isle
• 1940s Quarrying for soapstone

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History of Mining in Nunavut

• 1950s Salmon River coal mine
• 1957-1962 North Rankin nickel mine
• 1967 Exploration for oil and gas

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History of Mining in Nunavut

• 1976-2002 Nanisivik lead-zinc mine
• 1981-1985 Cullaton Lake gold mine
• 1981-2002 Polaris lead-zinc mine
• 1982-2005 Lupin gold mine

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Importance of Mining
Goods
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Importance of Mining
Jobs
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Importance of Mining
Business Opportunities
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Steps to making a Mine

• Research
• Land Acquisition
• Reconnaissance Exploration
• Target Testing
• Evaluation Drilling/Bulk Sampling
• Environmental Data Collection
• IQ and Socio-Economic Studies
• Engineering Studies
• Permitting
• Construction
• Operation
• Closure

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Research
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Land Acquisition Land Tenure Certainty
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Reconnaissance Exploration
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Target Testing - Diamond Drilling
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Evaluation Drilling and Bulk Sampling
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Environmental Baseline Data Collection
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Community Consultation
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Traditional Knowledge Studies
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Engineering Studies Detailed Design
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The Permitting Process

• Socio-economic and environmental data collection
• Feasibility study
• Screening project and review
• IIBA Negotiations
• Permit applications
• Government approval
• Permits issued

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Construction
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Start up
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Underground Mine
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Open Pit Mine
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Operation - Concentrating
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Operation - Transport and Shipping
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Mine Shutdown
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Reclamation
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On-site Monitoring
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Costs of the Mining Process

• Needs Assessment lt1 Million
• Exploration 1 Million -- 10 Million
• Evaluation 1 Million -- 50 Million
• Permitting 1 Million -- 10 Million
• Construction 100 Million -- 1 Billion
• Operation
• Closure 1 Million -- 100 Million

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Timeline of the Mining Process

• Research ongoing
• Exploration 1-10 years
• Evaluation 1-3 years
• Permitting 1-3 years
• Construction 1-2 years
• Operation 5-50 years
• Closure 1-20 years

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Land-use
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Thank You!