Agnico Eagle Celebrates Meliadine Mine Opening With $1 Million Contribution to Community Legacy Projects

June 19, 2019

At a community celebration marking the official opening of its new Meliadine Mine, Agnico Eagle announced the Company will invest $1 million in three community-priority projects that will create a lasting legacy for Nunavummiut.

Jim Nasso, Chair of Agnico Eagle’s Board of Directors, made the announcement at the June 19th Meliadine Official Opening held at the Rankin Inlet Community Hall, Nunavut. 

“We could not have achieved this milestone without your support.  It is through your insight and inclusiveness that we have accomplished so much. Together, we are growing and sharing the wealth that your communities hold in abundance and we are creating opportunities for the next generation of Inuit to determine their own future.”

During the event, Mr. Nasso announced Agnico Eagle will help fund three community initiatives: 

1) A contribution of $250,000 toward the Rankin Inlet Fire Department’s New Regional Fire Training Centre. 

The Fire Training Centre will allow firefighters to train for actual emergencies in a safe, real time environment. Firefighters from Rankin Inlet, from communities across the Kivalliq Region and Nunavut, as well as from Agnico Eagle’s own Meliadine Emergency Response Team, will be able to train for real life fire and rescue situations.

This legacy project will help make every community safer and better prepared to deal with emergency incidents. 

2) A contribution of $250,000 toward the Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy Council’s purchase of a building in Rankin Inlet to serve as its permanent headquarters for Kivalliq.  With this home base the Literacy Council will be able to regularly offer literacy training programs to Nunavut adults, youth and community members.  

3) A contribution of $500,000 over the next five years to help the Ilitaqsiniq - Nunavut Literacy Council promote and advance adult and youth literacy skills across the territory. These training programs are often life-changing and are key to growing Nunavut’s literacy rates.

More than 1,000 people attended the Community Celebration for the Meliadine Mine Opening, including special guests: the Honourable Joe Savikataaq, Premier of Nunavut; Aluki Kotierk, President of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.; David Ningeongan, KIA President; Deputy Mayor of Rankin Inlet Harry Towtongie; and many community Elders. Agnico Eagle’s Board of Directors, CEO Sean Boyd, President Ammar Al-Joundi, and Meliadine Mine General Manager Martin Plante. 

In announcing Agnico Eagle’s support for these life-saving and life-changing initiatives, Mr. Nasso said, “Agnico Eagle has developed tremendous respect and trust with you - the people of Nunavut – since we first came to visit this region back in 2007. We will continue to work hard to earn your trust. We will continue to work with you to build safe, strong and healthy communities.  We will continue to help secure a better future for all Nunavummiut.”