| Location | |
|---|---|
  Polaris mine Location in Canada | |
| Location | Little Cornwallis Island |
| Island | Nunavut (Northwest Territories) |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 75°23′40″N096°52′50″W / 75.39444°N 96.88056°W /75.39444; -96.88056[1] |
| Production | |
| Products | Lead Zinc |
| Production | 21,000,000 tonnes (ore) |
| Financial year | Life of mine |
| History | |
| Opened | 1981 |
| Closed | 2002 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Cominco |
| Year of acquisition | 1964 |
Polaris zinc mine was a formerunderground mine onLittle Cornwallis Island in theCanadian territory ofNunavut (Northwest Territories prior to Nunavut's official separation).[2] Thezinc mine was located 1,120 km (700 mi) north of theArctic Circle, and 96 km (60 mi) north of the community ofResolute.[3] It closed in July 2002 following more than twenty years of zinc production.[4]
In 1964Vancouver-basedComincooptioned all the mineral claims in Canada'sArctic that were controlled by Bankaro Mines.Mineral and economic assessments resulted in a 23 million ton reserve at a zinc grade of 14.1 per cent. Approval of the project was obtained in 1979, thenPrime MinisterJoe Clark waived environmental assessment hearings and pledged to ship half of the concentrate from the mine in the federally ownedicebreakerMV Arctic.[5] The entiremineral processing plant, power plant and workshop were built upon a barge and travelled 5,600 km (3,500 mi) fromQuebec to the mine site. In 1981 the mine commenced production.[6] The Polaris mine employed over 250 people. Although only 20 mine employees were from northern Canada, thirty percent of employment in Resolute was directly related to the mine.[7]
The Polaris mine produced over 21 million tonnes of lead-zinc ore during the life of the mine, with a market value of over $1.5 billion. Concentrate from the mining operation was stored in a 210 m (700 ft) long warehouse, which was the largest structure in Nunavut.[6]
Initially the mine was scheduled to close in 2001, however due to improved mining techniques, the mine life was extended one year to 2002.Reclamation procedures following the closure of the Polaris mine set a new standard formine closure in the territory of Nunavut. Reclamation of the mine site began while the mine was still operating, this work was planned to ensure it would not have an adverse effect on the mining operation (such as removal of unused buildings). Cominco intended to bury most of the buildings and materials in a nearbyquarry, with thepermafrost preventing contamination. Cominco offered the staff accommodations to thefederal government for use as apenal colony on the island. Household items were offered to residents of nearbyInuit communities. Cleanup of the Polaris mine site took two years, with environmental monitoring until 2011.[6]
The Northwest Territories boast two of the world's most northerly mines; Polaris on Little Cornwallis Island and Nanisivik on Baffin Island. Both are Lead and Zinc mines.