Power imbalances and sustainability challenges: a political ecology analysis of impact and benefit agreements in Canada's arctic mining sector

• No study has employed a political ecology lens to critically assess the effectiveness of Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) in managing mineral development in Canada's Arctic, particularly in relation to local Indigenous communities. • A new framework categorizing the power dynamics and governance structures within IBAs is introduced, revealing the centralization of decision-making among regional Inuit associations and industry stakeholders, and the exclusion of local communities and those not directly benefiting. • The research utilizes a political ecology approach to examine the Jericho Diamond Project IBA in Nunavut, focusing on the implications of power imbalances and decision-making processes that shape natural resource development in the Arctic. • The findings reveal significant shortcomings in the current IBA model, including:. • -The centralization of authority, sidelining local communities. • -The confidentiality of agreements hindering public oversight and accountability. • Failure to address critical sustainability issues like infrastructure and social impacts. • The reinforcement of a wage economy, making communities vulnerable to global market fluctuations. • Exclusion of municipal governments, which creates gaps in meeting local community needs. • The study highlights that although IBAs represent an improvement over past mining practices, they do not ensure long-term sustainable development in the Arctic, particularly in terms of community well-being, environmental protection, and economic diversification. Impact and Benefit Agreements (IBAs) are crucial for managing mineral development in Canada's Arctic, aiming to promote sustainability and distribute benefits to Indigenous communities. However, this study uncovers shortcomings in the IBA model that hinder its effectiveness. We analyse the former Jericho Diamond Project IBA in Nunavut through a political ecology lens to highlight power imbalances in decision-making for natural resource development. Our research indicates that IBAs centralise decision-making authority among regional Inuit associations and industry stakeholders, sidelining local communities and those not receiving benefits. Additionally, the confidential aspect of IBAs constrains public oversight and accountability. Current IBA structures fail to address community sustainability issues, including infrastructure and social impacts. They reinforce a wage economy that leaves Northern communities vulnerable to global fluctuations. Excluding key stakeholders, like municipal governments, creates gaps in meeting community needs. Although IBAs improve on past mining practices, they do not secure sustainable development in Canada's Arctic. This research calls for a reimagined IBA model better to balance economic opportunities with environmental protection and community well-being.