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 Lizzie Alarualik from Resolute Bay stands beside an archaeological feature on Little Cornwallis Island |
Little Cornwallis Island Cominco Polaris Operations proposes to mine the Eclipse deposit on Little Cornwallis Island over the winters of 1999/2000 and 2000/2001. The Eclipse orebody is a small deposit located 28 kilometres from the Polaris Mine. |
Cominco plans to construct a 38-kilometre haul road from the Eclipse orebody to Polaris Mine, and to establish a barge off-loading area at a location either five kilometres northeast of Healy Isthmus, or on the western coast of Templeton Bay. Peter Dawson of the University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta and Simon Idlout of Resolute Bay surveyed the areas which may be affected by the haul road and the two proposed off-loading areas.
Aerial and foot surveys of the preferred and alternate routes for the haul road show that large sections of both routes are clear of archaeological sites. Much of the road is inland and above 20 metres above sea level. Four previously unrecorded sites were located in the vicinity of a narrow isthmus which links the northeastern and southwestern sections of Little Cornwallis Island. It was recommended that the haul road and off-loading activities be staged at least 100 metres away from these sites. An aerial survey of the Eclipse drill site by helicopter confirms the results of earlier surveys that the area has very low archaeological potential.
Peter Dawson and Lizzie Alarualik of Resolute Bay and John Erwin of the University of Calgary also surveyed selected areas along the west coast of Little Cornwallis Island between Royle Point and North Bay. The purpose was to compile an inventory of sites and to mark those which are located where Cominco Exploration is currently operating drills. This information will be used by exploration geologists to plan drilling activities in such a way as to avoid impact to archaeological resources.
A survey of the proposed drilling locations, trails, and storage areas resulted in the identification of seven previously unreported sites. Of these, five are Palaeo-Eskimo or Thule and two show Euro-Canadian and Inuit use of the island.
The sites are not threatened by Cominco Exploration's proposed drilling. It was recommended that any additional activities be staged at least 100 metres away from any site.
