2 lead-zinc mines that were in production in the Archipelago: NANISIVIK at Strathcona Sound on northern Baffin Island, and Polaris on Little Cornwallis Island. Both mines were closed in 2002. There is increased interest in base metal exploration on Baffin Island. Oil and natural gas exploration in the northwestern Queen Elizabeth Islands was suspended from 1970-95. Proven reserves of oil are sufficient enough that Panarctic Oil has constructed a production site at Bent Horn on Cameron Island and ships the oil by tanker to eastern Canada. This greatly increased resource development has aroused great concern for the fragile arctic ENVIRONMENT among both the native peoples and conservationists. The territories' first national park, AULAVIK , was established in the Archipelago on BANKS ISLAND in 1992. Severe climate and PERMAFROST result in very poor soil development. Vegetation is tundra, varying from low bush to grass, but it may be lacking in some sectors. Provincial Geographical Highlights Yellowknife in Winter The climate severity index of Yellowknife, at 57, is extreme compared with most cities (photo by L. Smith/courtesy Govt of NWT). Climate Information Harp Seal Mother and Baby Harp seals live in the North Atlantic (Corel Professional Photos). Arctic Mainland The Canadian SHIELD makes up the arctic mainland. Canada's oldest rocks (3.96 billion years) were found east of Great Bear Lake. Pleistocene ice sheets polished its surface, stripping away surface material down to the bedrock. In places boulders and meltwater-sorted sands and gravels remain from the melting ice. Overall it is a gently