Baffinland Iron Mines has completed loading of the first shipment of Mary River iron ore. The Federal Tiber bulk carrier departed from Milne port at on Saturday, August 8, 2015 carrying a total of 53,624 t of iron ore. The ship is bound for Nordenham, Germany, where its cargo will be unloaded and eventually used to make high quality steel.

Tom Paddon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Baffinland stated, “This is a great moment for Baffinland, its investors, and its employees who have worked hard to reach this goal. In just two years the men and women who work at the site, both Inuit or southern, have collaborated to build the mine and its infrastructure and have now moved the new port into full operation – this is their achievement and they can be proud of what they have accomplished. It is also a significant moment for Nunavut with the world’s most northerly open-pit mine now fully functional on Baffin Island. Iron ore from the Naluujaak pit at Mary River mine will soon become an ingredient in European steel and Nunavut’s role in contributing to the global economy has just increased. It’s important to note that, again working collaboratively, local communities, Inuit organizations, governments and industry have shown what can be achieved, and Baffinland is especially grateful for the support it has enjoyed in bringing this project to fruition.”

Mary River is located on northern Baffin Island, in the Territory of Nunavut in the Canadian Arctic. The project consists of nine high-grade lump and fine iron ore deposits that can be mined, crushed and screened and then shipped directly to markets. The first phase consists of mining iron ore from the reserve at Deposit No. 1 at a production rate of 18 Mt/y.