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| For immediate release |
March 30, 2006 |
MEDIA RELEASE
TLICHO NATION AND DE BEERS CONCLUDE IMPACT AGREEMENT
FOR SNAP LAKE PROJECT
Yellowknife – March 30, 2006 - The Tlicho Government and De Beers Canada Inc. are delighted to announce that they have signed an agreement, termed an Impact Agreement, for the Snap Lake Project in the Northwest Territories. This agreement sets out the benefits which the Tlicho people will derive from the future Snap Lake diamond mine.
"This agreement builds on the success of the first two Impact Benefit Agreements we have negotiated for our people as the diamond mining industry has emerged in the NWT," said George Mackenzie, Grand Chief. "It ensures that benefits from the third diamond mine in the Northwest Territories are enjoyed by those among our people who may not be able to participate directly in the mining economy and that was our priority in negotiating this agreement.
"When we negotiated our first IBA, we focused on jobs and employment for our people," said Joe Rabesca, former Grand Chief and lead negotiator. "When the second diamond mine was developed, the IBA we negotiated focused on business opportunities. This agreement with De Beers provides Tlicho citizens with new opportunities to get their strength from the land through the programs and services that our government will be able to offer.
Commenting on the agreement, Richard Molyneux, President of De Beers Canada said "This agreement builds on the successful business relationship which we have already established with the Tlicho Government. It is our understanding that the benefits coming from this agreement will be focused on cultural development for the Tlicho communities and we are pleased that we are able to contribute to supporting the important culture, traditions and values of the Tlicho people."
This is the second such agreement concluded by De Beers for the Snap Lake Project; the first was completed with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation in November 2005. Also in November last year, De Beers concluded an Impact Benefit Agreement with the Attawapiskat First Nation for the Victor Project in Northern Ontario.
The Snap Lake mine will employ 500 people during full production, and will produce 1.5 million carats per year. It will be the first completely underground diamond mine in Canada and De Beers' first mine outside of Africa.
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| For further information contact: |
Linda Dorrington
Manager Public and Corporate Affairs
De Beers Canada Inc
Office: 416-645-1710 ext 2107
Cell: 416-818-2254
Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com |
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