By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News
The Mary River iron mine will increase its annual production to 22 million tonnes in four years, after Baffinland Iron Mines completed consultation with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association, the company said on Jan. 29.
Currently, the mine, 160 km south of Pond Inlet, produces 4.2 million tonnes of iron ore per year.
The planned increase in production will follow the opening of its Steensby rail and port, which has secured regulatory authorizations from the Government of Nunavut.
Details on how much that will cost will be released in the near future, according to Peter Akman, head of communications for Baffinland.
He was able to provide details on the growing workforce, however.
“Baffinland estimates that upon reaching 22 million tonnes per year we will require approximately 800 to 1,200 additional employees, beyond current staffing levels. This reflects increased mining, rail, port, marine, maintenance and logistics operations,” Akman said.
“For the Inuit workforce, Baffinland hopes to increase staffing from 300 to 500, subject to government support with training expenditures.”
Iron ore will eventually be transported by rail rather than truck, Baffinland said, to a new deep-water port at Steensby Inlet.
That will significantly lower production costs and environmental impacts, according to the company.
The shipping season for the metal will be lengthened due to the new port, Baffinland stated on Jan. 29.
Construction on the Steensby infrastructure will begin this year, and is expected to be completed within three years.
“Major construction contracts are expected to be awarded primarily to Canadian companies, including many Inuit-owned companies, creating employment and procurement opportunities across Nunavut and the rest of the country,” Baffinland stated.
Baffinland said it has identified 1 billion tonnes of iron ore at the Mary River Mine, which has been in production since 2014.
The high quality of the metal results in lower emission steel manufacturing, according to the company.
“The completion of Inuit consultation, alongside a thorough environmental assessment and regulatory review, reflects years of collaboration with Inuit, governments and regulators,” said Jowdat Waheed, Baffinland’s acting chief executive officer.
As of end of 2025 Baffinland has hauled 53.4 million tonnes of iron ore and shipped 51.1 million tonnes, Akman said.
Baffinland also has the rights to gold and base metal prospects in North Baffin Island, the company noted.
Headquartered in Oakville, Ont., Baffinland is jointly owned by The Energy and Minerals Group and ArcelorMittal.
The Energy & Minerals Group is a Houston, Texas-based investment firm while ArcelorMittal is a publicly traded company whose controlling stake is owned by UK-based Lakshmi Mittal.
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