Hearing on Baffinland's proposed expansion of Nunavut mine to wrap up in Iqaluit

A truck carrying ore is shown in this undated handout image, provided by Baffinland Iron Mines Corp, at the Mary River mine near Pond Inlet, Nunavut. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Baffinland Iron Mines Corp)

IQALUIT, Nunavut — A public hearing on a proposed expansion of an iron ore mine on the northern tip of Baffin Island in Nunavut is to conclude today in Iqaluit with closing remarks from communities closest to the mine site.

Baffinland Iron Mines Corp. wants to expand its Mary River mine near Pond Inlet by doubling its output and building a railway to the ocean.

The community of Pond Inlet has opposed the proposal and protested against it earlier this year.

Communities near the mine are concerned about what effects the proposed expansion would have on wildlife.

Baffinland has said it can't continue to be profitable without increasing production.

The hearing resumed on Monday after it was suspended in April because of a COVID-19 outbreak in Iqaluit.

All interveners have until Nov. 22 to submit written closing statements to the Nunavut Impact Review Board, which will then make a recommendation to the federal government whether to approve the proposed expansion.