Nunavut gold mine set to open

Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd. was set to hold its grand opening Friday for Nunavut's first operating mine in recent years.

The Meadowbank open-pit gold mine is located about 110 kilometres by road north of Baker Lake in Nunavut's Kivalliq region.

Agnico-Eagle officials have said they aim to produce 300,000 ounces of gold from the mine a year. The mine is expected to produce gold until 2019.

The Meadowbank mine now becomes Nunavut's newest and only operating mine. The territory's latest mine, Tahera Diamond Corp.'s Jericho mine, suspended operations in 2008 because of financial problems.

While the mine poured its first gold bar, weighing 287 ounces, in late-February, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

Many guests from Baker Lake and elsewhere were invited, including local Inuit elder Norman Attungala, who said he was asked to speak.

Speaking in Inuktitut, Attungala told CBC News he wants young people to be grateful for the employment opportunities offered by the mine.

Attungala said he hopes Inuit will be able to fully participate in all aspects of the mine's operation.

The Meadowbank mine is expected to have about 340 workers when it begins regular production.