For immediate release
February 26, 2002
DE BEERS FILES SNAP LAKE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, February 26, 2002 — De Beers
Canada Mining Inc. filed an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Snap
Lake Diamond Project today - an important step in the regulatory review
process.
The EA, filed with the Mackenzie Valley Environmental
Impact Review Board (MVEIRB), is the next step in the regulatory
process necessary before development permits can be issued
for a mine at Snap Lake, NWT. The company expects that,
following its review process, the MVEIRB will be able to
give a positive recommendation to the federal Minister
of Indian and Northern Affairs by the end of the third
quarter of 2002. The project would then move to the licensing
phase under the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board.
It is anticipated this would take a further six months,
resulting in development and operation permits being issued
during the first quarter of 2003.
"This Environmental Assessment sets a new standard
in scope and technical detail," said John McConnell,
Vice President - NWT Projects, "and we are confident
that the document we submitted today addresses the terms
of reference set out by the MVEIRB. We look forward to
working with the MVEIRB, government regulatory agencies
and non-government organizations in the phase leading up
to full licensing for development."
With permits in place, final approval from the De Beers
board of directors will be sought. Subject to that approval,
underground development and construction will start during
2003, with the main mobilization and construction in 2004.
Production would begin in the fourth quarter of 2005 with
full production of 3000 tonnes per day being achieved in
the first half of 2006.
Snap Lake will be the first De Beers mine in Canada and
is currently the company's most advanced project in this
country. De Beers Canada proposes to build the first wholly
underground diamond mine on the property, which is located
220 km northeast of Yellowknife. In addition to Snap Lake,
De Beers is exploring for diamonds in the Northwest Territories,
Nunavut, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.
- Ends -
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further information contact:
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Linda Dorrington
Manager - Public and Corporate Affairs
De Beers Canada
Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com
Tel: (416) 645-1710 ext 412 / (905) 849-0619
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