Nuna Logistics

Mastering its core and niche markets

y Graham Chandler

In 1993, when the boundaries of the new territory of Nunavut were still being drafted, one company was already out of the starting gate – Nuna Logistics Limited. Formed that same year, it has grown to become a large and complex conglomerate, 51 percent Inuit-owned. Its ambitious commitment is far-reaching, encompassing dependable and comprehensive construction services, logistics, contract mining, infrastructure planning, earthworks, large diameter drilling, heavy equipment field and simulator contract training, mining support services and mining products. Current ownership maintains the Inuit majority: 25.5 percent by Nunasi Corporation, a 100 percent Inuit- and Nunavut-owned business development company, 25.5 percent by Kitikmeot Corporation, the business development arm of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association, and 49 percent by Nuna Management Group. Nuna Logistics qualifies as a “Northern company” under the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. 

Since its start, Nuna has been involved with the majority of mining and exploration companies working in Canada’s North. Nuna provides premier value-added mining and construction services while also fostering Inuit, First Nation, and Métis employment opportunities. The hiring and training of Inuit, First Nation, Métis, and local people have long been a focus for Nuna. The company’s ongoing education and training opportunities contribute to a growing source of qualified northern labour. It maintains a large workforce of its own, often exceeding 600 people working throughout the remote north, 55 percent of whom are Northerners. Nuna has grown through launching several subsidiaries, including specialty companies such as Nuna Contracting Ltd. which offers earthworks, site development, contract mining, frozen core dam and dike construction, site access road construction, exploration support, site services and crushing. Another, Nuna Winter Road Services Ltd., offers winter road construction and operation, including the Tibbitt-Contwoyto winter road for the diamond mining industry. 

Yet another subsidiary, Nuna Training Technologies, incorporated in 2001, assists the mining industry in developing a strong regional workforce. Mining company employees can train using safety and heavy equipment training programs utilizing equipment simulators, as well as field and classroom instruction. In 2010, Nuna launched Nuna Innovations Inc. which offers specialty items for industrial use such as Airstar Lighting, Concrete Canvas, and Portafloor, among others. “There’s a lot of emerging products for the mining and heavy industries,” says Randona Conrad, the company’s marketing and communications specialist. “Being a company with a lot of experience in the mining and construction market, we felt that we had the potential for success with some of these products that are more environmentally friendly alternatives.” 

She describes Nuna Innovations as a distributor that sells to many different companies but focuses primarily on the mining and petrochemical industries. “We also work with engineering firms for erosion control and water management projects,” she says. “And we are starting with the defense and rail industries as well.” Generally, the company seeks emerging products that are not only supported by Nuna’s extensive experience in the mining and construction markets but that also have strong potential for success in the broader marketplace. CN

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