Non technical summary Whale Cove Area, Exploration ProjectsAgnico Eagle Mines Limited (Agnico Eagle) possesses mineral properties located on Crown and Inuit Owned Land in the area located between 20km to 70km of the Whale Cove community. The exploration activities planned on these properties include drilling, prospection and geophysical surveys. Winter accesses from the Meliadine Mine site and from the Whale Cove community up to some of the exploration areas were screened by NIRB in decision 17EA068. This decision concerned the Huckleberry exploration project. The present application has been prepared to obtain the authorizations for exploration activities in additional areas and also include the installation of an exploration camp in one of these areas. The winter accesses already screened will allow Agnico Eagle to transport material and equipment from the Meliadine Mine and from the Whale Cove community to the exploration sites during the winter, thus reducing the use of helicopters during the exploration season. At this time, a limited quantity of material and equipment is planned to be transported, since these exploration projects are at an initial stage. Winter accesses will be used by tracked tractors (Challenger), passing directly on the ice and snow ensuring soil protection. Snowmobiles could also use these accesses.