For immediate release
May 10, 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
DE BEERS CANADA SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT REGARDING MUSKRAT DAM
Toronto – May 10, 2006 - De Beers has demonstrated a firm commitment to working with Aboriginal communities at all stages of its diamond exploration and mine development activities. It is De Beers' policy and practice to engage with local communities before exploration work begins. The purpose of such engagement and consultation is to provide information to the community about the work planned and to obtain the necessary information from the community so that De Beers can minimize possible impacts on traditional pursuits and the environment, as well as to discuss job opportunities created by De Beers' activities. As a result of this consistent and proactive commitment to community engagement, the company has concluded a wide range of agreements with Aboriginal communities across Canada.
Contrary to statements published in the media, De Beers did act in accordance with its policy and practice and approached the Muskrat Dam First Nation in March 2006. At that time, the company requested a meeting to enquire about the community's traditional land and pursuits as well as to discuss the early exploration work planned in the region for spring 2006. This request was declined and for this reason the company was not aware of the existence, location and timing of the Muskrat Dam youth hunting trip to Agusk Lake. It is unfortunate that De Beers' work in the area coincided with the Muskrat Dam youth goose hunt and, had the community agreed to a meeting with the company, this work could have been jointly planned to avoid any disruption to community activities.
During the company's extensive engagement with the other communities in the region, no mention was made of the fact that the area of Agusk Lake was considered to fall within the traditional lands of the Muskrat Dam community, which is some 194 km south of Agusk Lake. A number of other First Nation communities, located closer to Agusk Lake, are very active in the area between Muskrat Dam and Agusk Lake. In fact, following consultation with Fort Severn First Nation, the First Nation and De Beers concluded an agreement providing the company with clear community support for a staged exploration program within that community's traditional lands, including the Agusk Lake area.
De Beers has recently written to Muskrat Dam to outline its policy and practice regarding consultation and to again request a meeting with the community so that future work can be discussed and open dialogue with the community established. Through subsequent discussions, the company and the community have agreed to meet to find a positive path forward.
De Beers values its good relationships with local communities and goes to great lengths to understand their concerns and meet the needs of the communities within whose traditional lands the company operates. The consultation process provides De Beers with information needed to ensure that its activities minimize impact on wildlife, the environment and traditional lifestyles and establishes the beginnings of mutually beneficial relationship which could last years.
De Beers' relationships with Aboriginal communities in Canada are guided by its policy entitled "Working with Aboriginal Communities" and this policy has governed its approach to Muskrat Dam First Nation, the other communities in northern Ontario and wherever the company operates. For more information regarding this policy please visit www.debeerscanada.com.
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| For further information contact: |
Linda Dorrington
Manager Public and Corporate Affairs
De Beers Canada Inc
Telephone: 416-645-1710 ext 2107
Cell: 416-818-2254
Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com |
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