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Gold/Mining/Energy : Canadian Diamond Play Cafi -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Famularo who wrote (91)	8/1/2002 9:33:30 AM
From: Just G	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 16205

Debeer's Responds to Attawapiskat's first Nation Thursday, 1 August, 2002 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DeBeers project remains on hold as Attawapiskat researches parts of Indian Act The De Beers' Victor diamond project remains on hold as Attawapiskat First Nation researches how they benefit from the agreement. In an interview with The Daily Press deputy chief Fred Wesley said the First Nation, located about 600 kilometres north of Timmins, is examining the Impact Benefit Agreement of the Indian Act. "The agreement between De Beers Canada, Attawapiskat First Nations and the federal and provincial government has to be clear," he said. "We have to examine the Indian Act to make it clear as to what specifically is there for us." He said his First Nation group wants specifics on the four stakeholders' concerns and how each would benefit from the diamond exploration project. "We're not against the (Victor) project, we just don't want to be burned again," he said. "We're only asking for two months to review where we stand." Last Friday, as reported in Saturday's Daily Press, Attawapiskat First Nation announced it had served De Beers Canada notice it was taking an eight-week break from the project to see how the project will impact their treaty and traditional lands. When complete, the mine, it is estimated will employee 340-350 workers. "We haven't been properly served by this memorandum of understanding to date since we haven't put the real issues on the table with De Beers or the government, our treaty and Aboriginal rights," said acting chief Thomas Tookate. "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. After all, decisions like that have to be made by community members." Wesley said the issues which the First Nation did not find clear in the memorandum of understanding included environmental protection and traditional knowledge. During the two-month break, Attawapiskat First Nation is looking to translate the agreement into Cree so those who cannot speak English can have a say in the matter. "We're doing this so our residents can understand the impact this mining process will have on our lives," Wesley said. "What we're hoping for is a respect of our cultural heritage. We want an examination of any environmental impact this mine would have on our community, as well as any cultural or sociological impact it would have on our people." De Beers said the First Nation's 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. The diamond project is tentatively scheduled for government approval by 2003 and construction and operation of an open pit mine would be started in 2004 or 2005. The mine would have a life of 15 years. The same report stated the kimberlite bodies contain about 18 million tons of kimberlite consisting of medium to high grade diamonds located along the Attawapiskat River.