The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

Nordland Havfiske Current use of satellite systems

The company uses GPS for navigation, Satellite for Internet and telephony with Iridium and Inmarsat as backup solutions. They are generally satisfied with the available ice information and weather forecast in the area they operate, however there could be more frequent measurements of weather for more reliable forecasts.

Communications Weather Navigation

Current use of satellite systems

B.3.4 Mining – Baffinland’s Mary River Project Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. Facts in Brief Sector/industry: Mining, Iron Ore

Geographic area of operations: Mary River Property, located in the Qikiqtani Region of Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada. It is located 160 kms south of Pond Inlet. The property consists of nine plus high-grade lump and fine iron ore deposits. Status of operations: The h Have submitted their Environmental Impact Statement. They are currently under-review by the Nunavut Impact Review Board, with public hearings commencing later in 2012. Construction on the project is expected to begin in Spring 2013, although the pre-construction phases (bulk sampling) have already exported some product. Ownership and key stakeholders: Owned 70% by ArcelorMittal and 30% by Iron Ore Holdings LP. Web link: http://www.baffinland.com/MaryRiverProject/default.aspx ArcelorMittal is the world›s largest steel company, with 262,000 employees in more than 60 countries. It acquired Baffinland in 2010. Baffinland began exploration on the property in 2004, though the deposit was originally found in 1962. The project will be the largest mining project ever developed in Northern Canada, requiring a $4 billion investment. The site deposits are expected to hold 365 mil/tonnes of 64% grade iron. Production is expected to be 21 million tonnes annually, over 21 years. Operations will involve mining, ore crushing and screening, rail transport and marine shipping to market. Highlights include a 150km railroad, a deep water port, year-round shipping, construction of 10 Polar Class 4 transport vessels capable of 190,000 tonnes, and 2,400 jobs created during the construction and operation phases. If all goes according to plan with the EIS, construction is scheduled to begin in 2013. It would also be an important cornerstone to Nunavut’s economy, accounting for over $20 million annually to government and aboriginal groups in royalties, as well as business and employment spin-offs. Baffinland has submitted their EIS for the Mary River project and responded to over 300 comments/questions arising from a review of their draft EIS. At least some of these issues will require further investigation and longer term monitoring efforts. One of their biggest concerns is the impact of shipping on marine mammals and the technology solution for baseline marine mammal studies and on-going monitoring. Based on the comments/questions in response to the draft EIS, there are also important information requirements associated with year round mining and rail transportation of ore, including permafrost issues, habitat disruption and mammal migration pattern disruption. They have used satellites at different stages: mapping the area during exploration, contracting work on ecosystem and habitat for regulatory approval, ice charting for shipping navigation, and infrastructure development. Opportunities exist for expanding this scope.

Company overview

Information needs

Current use of satellite systems

B.3.5 Mining – Norilsk Nickel Norilsk Nickel Facts in Brief

Sector/industry: Mining, primarily nickel and palladium. Also producers of platinum, copper, and various by-products like cobalt, rhodium, silver, gold, iridium, ruthenium, selenium, tellurium and sulfur. Geographic area of operations: Norilsk Nickel’s activities are located in five countries: Russia, Australia, Botswana, Finland, and South Africa. Its largest operations are located in the Norilsk–Talnakh area, in northern Russia. Its headquarters are in Moscow. Status of operations: Involved in prospecting, exploration, extraction, refining and metallurgical processing of minerals, as

well as in production, marketing and sale of base and precious metals. Ownership and key stakeholders: Key shareholders are Interros and Rusal. Web link: http://www.nornik.ru/en/

Norilsk Nickel is the largest nickel and palladium producer in the world. It currently has five main operational divisions, two of which are located in the Russian North: the Polar Division and Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company. The Polar Division is located in Russia at the Taimyr Peninsula above the Arctic Circle, on the 69th parallel. Seven Polar Division mines produce copper-nickel sulfide ores from the Oktyabrsky, Talnakh, and Norilsk-1 deposits. As of the beginning of 2010, the proven and probable reserves of the Taimyr and Kola Peninsulas amount to over 473 million tonnes and contain ca. 5.8 million tonnes of nickel, over 8.7 million tonnes of copper, and ca. 2.6 thousand tonnes of platinum group metals. For logistics in the North Sea Route: to identify the route accessibility given ice conditions (ice breakers require additional costs, and are supplied upon request from a NN partner organization)

Company overview

Information needs

Meteorological data for safety Communications and rescue Navigation and GPS

CONTRIBUTION OF SPACE TECHNOLOGIES TO ARCTIC POLICY PRIORITIES 80