Project Dashboard

Status: ACTIVE SCREENING

  • NIRB File No:

    24XN038

  • Application No.:

    125987

  • Project Type:

    All-Weather Road / Access Trail

  • Project Name:

    Grays Bay Road and Port

West Kitikmeot Resources Corp. (WKR) is seeking approval to build the Grays Bay Road and Port Project (the Project). The Project consists of: 1) a deep water port suitable for large cargo ships; 2) a small craft harbour accessible to community users; 3) supporting ‘landside’ port infrastructure (e.g., accommodations, fuel storage, laydown areas); and 4) a 230-kilometre all-season access road that connects the Grays Bay Port to Jericho Station, which is at the site of the former Jericho Mine in Nunavut. The proposed port is approximately 180 kilometres (km) east of Kugluktuk on the south shore of the Coronation Gulf, and Jericho Station is approximately 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, at the end of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road. The port will handle cargo ships that unload fuel, containers and community supplies, and load and transport minerals from future critical minerals mines, and bring supplies to nearby Kitikmeot communities. The port is expected to receive vessels from June to October, which may vary from year to year.The road will be open to commercial and public vehicles, with controlled access radio communications protocols to ensure safe operation. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road may be extended north to Jericho Station allowing seasonal access to Yellowknife in some years. The use of the port and road will be monitored and managed by WKR to keep the public safe and to reduce effects on wildlife and the environment. WKR expects that construction of the Project will take approximately five years. In addition to the road and port, the Project will require the construction of bridges and culverts; development of quarries; installation of fuel storage tanks; an airstrip; a rest station at Jericho Station and other facilities needed to operate a port, such as a landfill, landfarm, accommodations, power supply and sewage treatment. Project construction will require approximately 250 – 400 workers. Fewer staff will be required during operations. Employees will fly in and fly out to work at the port. Once built, the port will offer additional resupply options to Kitikmeot communities, creating local business opportunities and reducing transportation costs.The Project is in a remote area of the Kitikmeot region historically used by Inuit. WKR will use and integrate Inuit Knowledge to guide the environmental assessment and inform all aspects of the road and port's construction and operation.WKR has been able to access substantial databases of environmental information previously collected by other projects in this region. Environmental studies will continue to be carried out to support predictions the potential environmental effects of the GBRP Project as required by the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) and other regulators. The Project crosses through land used by caribou and other animals, as well as a variety of birds, and freshwater fish. WKR seeks to develop and implement measures to minimize the potential effects on wildlife. Activities at the port may affect marine mammal and marine fish for short periods of time. WKR will use best practices in monitoring and management plans to reduce harm to caribou, wildlife, marine mammals, and fish. This approach will be documented in an Environmental Protection Plan that WKR will apply to all activities.The port and road are areas of known historical resources. WKR will avoid areas of known important historical sites wherever possible. If sites cannot be avoided, WKR will develop a plan to reduce impacts through site investigation and documentation. The Project will create jobs for Inuit, other Nunavummiut, and Northern residents. WKR will develop and apply an Inuit hiring policy to maximize opportunities for Inuit during and after construction. The project will support the training of Inuit for jobs and create opportunities for Inuit and Northern businesses to provide goods and services during construction and operations. WKR has, and will continue to actively engage with Kitikmeot communities, Inuit organizations, and interested parties throughout the planning and design of the Project. WKR values Inuit input and has used comments received from Kitikmeot communities thus far to shape the Project. This collaborative approach will continue during all phases of the Project.

Assessment Phase / Activity
  • Received Comment submissions from Parties: Notice re comments received 2024-11-01
  • Extention to Screening Deadline requested 2024-10-21
  • Received Request for Extension to Commenting Period Extended 2024-10-09
  • Commenting Period Extended 2024-10-09
  • Technical advisor assigned 2024-10-03
  • Commenting period 2024-11-01
  • Application screening started 2024-08-29
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