For immediate release
September 20, 2002VICTOR PROJECT WINTER PROGRAMME ON HOLD
Toronto,
September 20,2002 — Discussions between De Beers Canada
and the Attawapiskat First Nation on the future of
the Victor diamond project resumed and concluded
today without agreement being reached.
The project has been on hold for two months while
the First Nation conducted an internal review of the
project.
"De
Beers is committed to on-going negotiations with the
First Nation," said Richard Molyneux, President
and CEO of De Beers Canada. "In March of this year
De Beers had already begun discussions on the Impact
Benefit Agreement, which would provide the framework
for the many longer term benefits to the community arising
from a mine, such as compensation, employment, training,
business opportunities, and community development," said
Molyneux.
During
today's five-hour meeting the First Nation demanded further
delays in order to negotiate an agreement to cover the
winter programme, which was scheduled to begin in November
and only involves activities supported and agreed to
by the community. The winter programme typically creates
50 or more much needed jobs for the people of Attawapiskat.
The winter programme was to form part of site investigations
and exploration, and aimed at providing important data
needed for the commencement of a feasibility study.
De
Beers believes an agreement is necessary and is fully
prepared to engage in negotiation with the First Nation.
However, the range of issues proposed today for inclusion
in the agenda for negotiation on the winter programme
include many items which De Beers believes are well outside
the necessary scope. As a result, negotiations are likely
to extend beyond the planned dates for the start of this
work.
De
Beers is fully prepared to negotiate on this issue but
has requested some commitments to meeting deadlines which
the Attawapiskat First Nation has refused.
"Right
from the beginning of the two-month delay we have made
very clear to the Chief and Council of the Attawapiskat
First Nation the nature of the tight deadlines we are
faced with for the winter programme. These deadlines
relate to permit applications, submissions to the De
Beers Board for project funding, and the logistics involved
in preparing for the winter programme," said Jonathan
Fowler, Manager - Aboriginal & Environmental Affairs
for De Beers Canada. "The additional time the First
Nation are demanding will take us well past these critical
deadlines. It appears we may have to postpone the planned
winter work," said Fowler.
He
further explained that, "The permits referred to
are short-term land use permits and permissions to undertake
the various exploration activities, which are processed
through the Ontario provincial authorities. De Beers
is obviously fully bound to follow existing regulations
and permitting requirements."
During
the discussions the First Nation accused De Beers of
having breached the agreement to cease community consultation
during the two-month review period. This accusation referred
to the information update the Company published in the
Wawatay News on September 5, 2002. The De Beers position
is that this update in no way constitutes consultation
and was considered to be a simple courtesy owed by the
Company to the community and a necessary response to
the many requests for information which had been received.
With the prior full support of the Attawapiskat Council,
De Beers has previously demonstrated its commitment to
frequent and transparent communication with the people
of Attawapiskat and the Company believes it is under
an obligation to maintain this communication with the
community, many of whom have been employed by the company
and were hoping for further employment this winter.
Chief
Hall of Attawapiskat First Nation had been advised of
the intention to publish this update well in advance
but no objection was received.
Commenting
on these developments Molyneux said, "We are very
concerned about the impact this further delay will have
on the people of Attawapiskat, many of whom were looking
forward to employment this winter. It is company policy
to maximize local employment opportunities and our project
has already brought significant benefits to the community."
- 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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