The Mary River deposits can be described by the depositional model proposed for Algoma-type iron formation. The characteristic stratigraphy for Algoma-type iron formations comprise of a lower succession of typically intermediate volcanics interbedded with acid volcanics, volcaniclastic sediments, and their sedimentary derivatives. This succession is followed by banded iron formation comprised of alternating cherty bands and iron oxides or bedded or banded pure oxides ranging from metres to hundreds of metres in thickness, depending on depths of the original basins. This succession in turn is overlain by a sequence of volcanics and volcaniclastic sediments often intruded by ultramafics and granitic intrusive bodies.

Mary River Group greenstone belts across northern Baffin Island consist of variable amounts of banded iron formation (BIF), which are associated with metasedimentary, metavolcanic and metaigneous rocks (Jackson et. al., 1978a, b, c; Jackson and Morgan, 1978). The banded oxide and silicate facies iron formations comprise the lateral equivalents of the high-grade Mary River deposits, which are almost entirely composed of iron oxides, suggesting a significant enrichment of iron through secondary processes.

Duke (2010) suggests growing evidence for a secondary Fe enrichment mechanism associated with widespread retrograded mylonitic detachments along the base of the high grade and enriched BIF across north central Baffin Island in places such as the Mary, Turner, Cockburn and Rowley River areas. These detachment faults are marked by a chlorite retrograded mylonitic structural contact between underlying ductile rising domes of polydeformed mafic-felsic gneisses and overlying supracrustal sinking keels which host the Mary River iron deposits (Duke and McCleod, 2009). These detachments are thought to be post regional folding of the Hudsonian orogeny around 1,850 Ma (Duke, 2010).

The high grade massive and enriched iron oxide ores occur where Mary River BIF border directly on detachment schist that separates the mylonitic roof of infrastructural domes from the high strained keels of Mary River Group. At detachment schist contacts, magnetite BIF shows evidence of undergoing extreme pressure solution resulting in the highly efficient leaching of quartz from magnetite. In large deposits, the primary banding defining early isoclinal folding is completely destroyed by metamorphic differentiation and recrystallization, resulting in >100m thicknesses of massive magnetite/hematite. On the flanks of the high grade iron deposits, Feenrichment is marked by various degrees of silica loss due to continued silica removal. Several regional examples of exposed giant quartz veins occurring along detachment schist boundaries adjacent to high grade magnetite zones account for the removal of silica from the banded iron formations. Duke (2010) suggests that the hydrothermal removal of silica was likely facilitated by dewatering of the nearby footwall serpentinized komatiites.

The Mary River deposits are comprised of a number of iron formations which have been enriched and altered to varying degrees. Original banded iron formations comprised of alternating layers of magnetite and hematite, are preserved in several locations along strike of existing high grade deposits. The regional metamorphism and folding associated with the Hudsonian Orogeny resulted in significant crustal thickening. This period also resulted in zones of weak to very efficient leaching of silica. Subsequent hypogene and metamorphic events led to the alteration of magnetite to hematite and specular hematite. Surface outcrops differ in iron, silica and sulphur content and in the proportions of their main oxide minerals – hematite, magnetite and specularite. The microscopic examination of drill core specimens by R.A. Blais (1964) suggests that magnetite was the stable mineral of the iron formations during metamorphism (amphibolite facies), and was replaced to various degrees by hematite (martitization), resulting in a range of hematite-magnetite (martite) compositions. This alteration process occurred during a late stage of metamorphism, under conditions of localized stress and high oxygen pressure, and may have been associated with folding and faulting of the tabular high-grade magnetite iron formation.

The strong structural influence on channelling of oxidizing solutions is supported by the alignment of lineations produced by tubular pores in the hard high-grade hematite iron formation (i.e., parallel to the axial plane and plunge of the synform) and the concentration of high-grade hematite ore at the core of the fold. Euhedral specularite crystals in magnetite rock indicate that specularite did not form by a process similar to martitization, but through the possible metamorphic replacement of magnetite. It is also possible that the specularite and other hematite mineralization formed as a primary rather than secondary mineral. However, what caused the crystallization of flaky, course-grained specularite as compared to fine-grained massive hematite is not fully understood. Field evidence suggests that higher fluid or vapour pressures in zones of shearing may have facilitated the growth of specularite.

The Mary River iron ore deposits on North Baffin Island are considered to be one of the largest and highest quality iron ore open pit deposits in the world. No other mine features the same high grade iron ore in such large quantities. The Project currently comprises an operating open pit iron ore mine and deep water port (Milne Port) that is operated by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation (Baffinland) and is jointly owned by The Energy and Minerals Group and ArcelorMittal. The Project is located in the Qikiqtani Region of Nunavut on northern Baffin Island. The current mine operation is expected to last for more than 20 years, with the ability for the operation to last significantly longer if it is allowed to expand to include other deposits, which have been identified.

The Project currently consists of three main locations: the Mary River Mine Site (the Mine Site), the 100-km long Milne Inlet Tote Road (Tote Road), and the Milne Port facility (Milne Port). There are also two approved but yet to be built locations: the Southern Railway and Steensby Port. The operation includes open pit mining, crushing and transportation of ore overland 12 months of the year along the Tote Road from the Mine Site to the Milne Port. The Project is currently operating in the Early Revenue Phase, augmented by the temporary Production Increase Proposal, that allows for the hauling and shipping of up to 6 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of iron ore under the Project Certificate.

Mining and Crushing
Once blasted, Baffinland mines out the materials using hydraulic excavators and large front-end loaders to load our 90-tonne and 212 tonne haul trucks. Ore is delivered to our nearby portable crushers, while waste material is transported to a dump location on site.

Ore Hauling
Baffinland’s ore handling team transports the crushed materials by truck from our crushing area to our port site along a 100km tote road. The road requires regular maintenance, and is monitored at all times for safety and potential environmental impacts.

The capacity of the proposed mining, comminution and handling facilities are considered modest for iron ore operations. The subarctic location will necessitate thorough weatherproofing, but otherwise the crushers, screens and other processing and transfer equipment are conventional in their selections.

The process consists of sequential crushing by jaw and cone crushers in closed-circuit with vibrating screens. The plant will deliver two products, lumps and fines, to stockpiles for blending prior to transfer to the port for ocean transport.

Lump iron ore is expected to be the main product from the Project and will be about 75% of the total production by weight. This product will have high iron grade by world standard, and will have variable impurity content, depending on the mine plan and schedule. The lump product has been found suitable for blending as direct feedstock for blast furnace iron making. The minority fines product would also be saleable depending on ........