Tetra Tech writes in the Roche Bay feasibility study that production will start late 2017 or summer 2018 at the earliest. Why so late? Because AXI management hasn't done its work.
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A project proposal for a mine still hasn't been filed with the Nunavut Impact Review Board. After a proposal is filed the review process should take 3 to 4 years, from soup to dessert. See Meadowbank, the only operating mine in Nunavut, which filed a project proposal with the NIRB on 7/4/03 and received its final project certificate on 1/3/07.
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Baffinland submitted its proposal in March 2008 (see below) and should receive a decision later this year. That's over 4 years of permitting process.
ftp://ftp.nirb.ca/02-REVIEWS/ACTIVE%20REVIEWS/08MN053-BAFFINLAND%20MARY%20RIVER/1-SCREENING/01-APPLICATION/08MN053-Covering%20Letter.pdf
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If AXI filed a project proposal with the NIRB today, then Roche Bay could be released from permitting in late 2015 or early 2016.
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If AXI were serious about developing Roche Bay as a mine they would be spending 100% of their available time and money on the following: 1) NIRB project proposal; 2) Starting on the 2 years of detailed engineering required; 3) negotiating impact and benefit agreements with stakeholders.
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Instead they're "hyperspectral," looking for nickel on another part of the Melville Peninsula.