The Meliadine Gold advanced exploration project is located in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut between Rankin Inlet and Chesterfield Inlet. The project was acquired by Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM’s purchase of Comaplex Minerals in July 2010). The Meliadine Project is AEM’s second project in Nunavut and has the potential to become AEM’s largest operating gold mine by 2017.
The Meliadine project mineral claims cover more than 520 square kilometres, stretching 80 kilometres along a major gold-bearing geological structure. The claims are mostly on Inuit Owned Lands (IOL) administered by the Kivalliq Inuit Association, based out of Rankin Inlet. The project consists of a group of six gold deposits, the largest of which is the Tiriganiaq deposit. The other deposits are Wesmeg, Discovery, F, Pump and Wolf zones. As of December 31, 2011, Meliadine had probable gold reserves of 2.9 million ounces, indicated gold resources of 1.7 million ounces and inferred gold resources of 2.4 million ounces.