Fonds 298 - NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines fonds

The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and representing the mining industry. The years leading up to 1967 saw increasing attention directed towards government affairs in the Northwest Territories. As both the mining industry and government became aware of the need for a centre of contact that could represent the views of the mining industry, a group of interested individuals applied for a Charter to form the Northwest Territories Chamber of Mines. The original meeting held in February 1967, was chaired by Charles Vaydik and attended by several Yellowknifers. The Constitution and By-Laws were signed by Charles Vaydik, R.W. Spence, F.A. McCall, Norman W. Byrne and Mark M. de Weerdt, and witnessed by Carol Repchuk and Elizabeth R. Byrne.

The objectives of the NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines as outlined in the constitution: to encourage, assist and stimulate prosperous, orderly and environmentally responsible development and growth of mining and mineral exploration, in all modes and phases, in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada; to consider, study and discuss matters of public interest affecting the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and other parts of Canada in relation to mining and mineral exploration; to encourage, assist and undertake research and inquiries into matters relating to mining and mineral exploration, particularly in reference to the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada; to inform the public of matters relating to mining and minerals exploration particularly in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada; to cooperate with and seek the co-operation of all persons, associations, corporations and authorities, both public and private, to attain these objectives; and to be the leading advocate for responsible sustainable mineral exploration and development in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Canada.

The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines elects a Board of Directors comprising 24 members. Executive positions of the Board are: President, Vice-President Northwest Territories, Vice-President Nunavut, Secretary/Treasurer and Past President. The Board of Directors meets as required to carry out the objectives of the organization.

The Chamber of Mines operates out of an office in Yellowknife, staffed by the Executive Director, Office Manager and Analyst, and an office in Iqaluit, NU staffed by the General Manager, Nunavut. The Chamber acts as the point of contact for the NWT & Nunavut Mining industry, researches current issues, arranges meetings, and assists in organizing special events including the annual Geoscience Forum and Nunavut Mining Symposium, NWT Mining Week, and the Chamber’s Annual General Meeting.

The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines has the responsibility and mandate to represent the interests and concerns of the mining industry in theNorthwest Territories and Nunavut. The Chamber continues to address the major issues facing the industry, including: land alienation and single-use land withdrawals, increasing public awareness of mining’s substantial economic and social roles in northern development, mineral policy and legislation and environmental regulation, taxation issues, the long-standing need for a broader base of infrastructure support, and devolution of responsibility for mineral resources from the Federal to Territorial government.

The NWT Chamber of Mines publishes several promotional products and publications as well as a website. Services to members include use of a reference library, access to, and distribution of, government publications, and updates on mining legislation, land claims and other issues pertinent to the minerals industry.

Shortly after division of the Northwest Territories created the new territory of Nunavut in April 1999, the organization’s Board of Directors and members voted to change the Chamber’s name to “The NWT & Nunavut Chamber of Mines” to further express its representation of the mineral industry in both Territories.