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Saturday, 27 July, 2002
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First Nation community puts diamond mine project on hold
A De Beers diamond exploration project near the remote James Bay community of Attawapiskat has been put on hold by the First Nation for two months.
Acting Chief Thomas Tookate told The Daily Press Friday the council wanted to take a break and review what has happened so far.
"We felt the project was moving ahead very quickly and we needed to slow down and make sure everything was going according to plan," he said. "We wanted to make sure nothing compromised our rights or traditions."
The First Nation served notice to De Beers on Friday of its intention regarding the two-month stoppage of the diamond project known as the Victor Project.
The termination is in regards to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the project, their treaty and traditional lands, Tookate said.
"We met earlier this week to discuss what has happened so far with this project," Tookate said. "We believe we haven't been properly served by this MOU to date since we haven't put the real issues on the table with De Beers which are our treaty and aboriginal rights. We need to take a break and properly prepare our own positions on our rights and how they can fit, if at all, with such a large project. What good is so called consultation when our rights are not being discussed?"
Tookate said the decision was one which involved the entire community.
In response, De Beers said the unexpected move "has damaged the spirit of co-operation and meaningful consultation which has characterized their dealings" with the First Nation.
De Beers said discussions have been underway for several months to formulate a protocol to allow negotiations to proceed on the impact and benefit agreements.
According to documents submitted to the provincial government by De Beers, the Victor Project is tentatively scheduled to obtain full government approval in 2003 while construction of the open pit mine would take place in 2004 and 2005.
The pit would have a mine life of 15 years, Tookate said.
"Once the project starts again, we anticipate an initial hiring of about 400 residents," Tookate told The Daily Press. |
