During its 2017 open-water Arctic shipping program, Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation indicated it shipped approximately 4.1 million metric tons of iron ore from its Milne Inlet Port to markets in Germany, the United Kingdom, and Japan. This appeared to reflect improved demand on global commodity markets. Montreal’s Fednav Ltd. manages the on-site shipping and port operations.
Fifty-six panamax vessels from Nordic Bulk Carriers and other operators were deployed between August 2 and October 17, carrying an average of 72,600 tonnes of iron ore each. The 4.1 million tonnes shipped over 75 days marks the largest shipping program by volume ever executed in the Canadian High Arctic. This followed the 2.7 million tonnes shipped last year.
Aerial view of the massive Baffinland mining and shipping complex in the Canadian Arctic.
“Our record-setting performance was achieved through the hard work and dedication of our employees,” says Brian Penney, president and chief executive officer of Baffinland. “I also want to thank all of our partners involved in making this program a success, including our shipping partners, ice management experts, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the continued support of the North Baffin communities, in particular Pond Inlet, and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.” World-leading health and safety control systems were deployed during the program and the company adhered to strict environmental standards and regulations. Baffinland also organized sophisticated environmental monitoring practices, combining scientific and traditional Inuit knowledge. No health and safety or environmental incidents occurred during the shipping program, the Oakville-based mining company said.
Baffinland Iron Mines is jointly owned by steel giant ArcelorMittal and Nunavut Iron Ore. The company has applied to increase annual shipments of the rich high-grade Mary River deposits from a current maximum of 4.2 million tons to 12 million tons.
