About the Steensby Railway
The Mary River Project has been in operation in northern Baffin Island since 2015, and is one of the most northern mines in the world. The Steensby Railway is a critical component of the Mary River Project. The Steensby Railway was approved by the Nunavut Impact Review Board in 2012 to transport iron ore from the Mary River Mine site to the Steensby Port. The Steensby Railway will help improve operational efficiency, reduce Tote Road traffic and emissions and will support the long-term viability and success of the Mary River Project.
Purpose
To help fight climate change, the world is transitioning away from fossil fuels to green energy. High-grade iron ore is needed to support essential components in many of today’s clean energy technologies, and was added to Canada’s Critical Minerals List in 2024. Baffinland has developed the Mary River Project to supply Nunavut’s high-grade iron ore to world markets to meet this growing demand.
The Mary River Project is a bulk commodity operation. Iron ore prices change quickly over short time periods, so it is important for iron ore mines to limit their costs as much as possible. The long-term success of the project requires a railway to lower costs and increase the amount of iron ore that can be transported from the mine. With the Steensby Railway, the Mary River Project will transition away from iron ore trucking and all ore transportation will move to the Southern Steensby route.
Project Components
The Steensby Railway will provide critical transportation infrastructure, which has always been foundational to the Mary River Project since it was approved by the Nunavut Impact Review Board in 2012. Once constructed, the railway will permit a larger output of iron ore from the mine to be transported to port for global shipping. The transition away from the trucking of iron ore will increase operating efficiencies and reduce operating costs for the Mary River Project, while also eliminating the dust and emissions currently generated by the trucking operations.
The Steensby Railway will consist of the following key components:
- 149-km mainline track, three mainline passing loops, arrival and departure tracks at Steensby Port and the Mine Site.
- two tunnels of approximately 1,000 m and 300 m lengths, each
- 42 bridges and at least 258 culverts
- locomotives and rail cars
- ore and freight loading/unloading facilities at the Mine Site and Steensby Port
- railway maintenance buildings and yard at Steensby Port
- ancillary facilities (e.g., communication towers)
Quick Facts About the Steensby Railway
Application to the Canadian Transportation Agency
Baffinland submitted an application to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), seeking approval to construct a railway line, pursuant to section 98 of the Canada Transportation Act. Baffinland seeks approval from the CTA to construct a railway of approximately 149 kilometers in length, connecting the Mary River Mine to Steensby Port (the Steensby Railway). The non-confidential components of the application are provided on this website.
Section 98 Application for Approval to Construct a Railway: