Baffinland Provides Update on Mary River Blockades

Press Release

Mary River, NU, February 8, 2021 – The protest at Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation’s (“Baffinland”) Mary River Project is ongoing.

There are more than 700 men and women currently at the Mary River Project site in Nunavut who are impacted by the protestors’ blockading of the air strip and the tote road.

The Mary River airstrip is currently closed to all regularly scheduled air traffic. Food and supply flights have been suspended, as well as employee and contractor transfers, search and rescue flights, and other North Baffin air traffic support services provided by the Mary River airstrip.

Baffinland understands that requests have been made by the organizers to be recognized as a Designated Inuit Organization under the Nunavut Agreement and for a portion of the royalties payable by Baffinland under the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement to be paid directly to them. Baffinland hears these requests, but has no right or ability to grant them.

Baffinland personnel have had numerous meetings with organizers, both at the blockades and in Pond Inlet, imploring the protestors to relocate off the airstrip and allow runway maintenance to take place and flights to resume. So far these discussions have not yielded any progress.

On the evening of February 4, 2021, a group of protestors erected two blockades at the Mary River Project, one on the airstrip and one on a section of the tote road. To ensure the safety of every employee, contractor and protestor on site, the majority of operational activities have been suspended until such time as it is considered safe for them to resume. Baffinland respects the right to peacefully protest and continues to work to maintain the safety of everyone at Mary River.

For any media inquiries:
Baffinland Iron Mines
Heather Smiles
Manager Stakeholder Relations
(T): +1 416 702 5553
media@baffinland.com

IBF4