For immediate release
December 8 , 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
DE BEERS AND DIAMONDS ARE GOOD FOR CANADA’S ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
Toronto, Friday, December 8, 2006 - De Beers contributes to sustainable communities and economies wherever we operate and we are proud of the relationships we have developed in the countries where we produce diamonds. We believe that meaningful consultation is required to develop mutual trust and long-term cooperative relationships with Aboriginal communities. We prioritize communication and consultation with communities throughout the life-cycle of our diamond projects.
De Beers has signed a range of agreements with Aboriginal communities across Canada, including Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities, which cover early and advanced exploration, mine construction and production. These agreements set out the work to be undertaken, our environmental and cultural commitments as well as how communities can participate in, and benefit from, our projects.
De Beers is fully committed to the highest environmental standards, and to this end, we have received ISO 140001 certification for the environmental management systems at all of our projects and operations in Canada. Our Snap Lake and Victor projects have undergone very thorough environmental assessment processes which included extensive community consultation. The input we received during the consultation with local Aboriginal communities, particularly in the area of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, has resulted in improvements in our mine designs.
Our contribution to communities goes beyond that which is set out in agreements. In Canada over the last three years De Beers has contributed over $2 million in social investment with a focus on Aboriginal literacy, education and training; all of this before we have started production in Canada.
Over the last four years we have spent over $300 000 to provide 19,000 new books to school children in remote Aboriginal communities. In addition, we are investing $500,000 over five years in the Lt. Governor’s Aboriginal Literacy Summer Camps in Northern Ontario.
We have built an $800,000 training centre in Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario which is being used to ensure that the people of this community are well prepared for the employment opportunities offered by the Victor Mine. In the Northwest Territories we provided $500, 000 for the initial development of the Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre in Yellowknife and we have partnered with our contractors at the Snap Lake project to provide a further $750, 000 for the expansion of this successful training centre.
“We see local Aboriginal communities as vital partners in any mining project we develop. To this end, we are committed to working with communities to maximize opportunities for local employment and the development of local Aboriginal businesses as suppliers and contractors to our mining projects,” said Jim Gowans, President and CEO of De Beers Canada Inc.
From exploration through production, the diamond industry is bringing employment and economic growth, training and education, and business opportunities for remote Aboriginal communities in Canada. De Beers will continue to live up to the highest ethical and business principles in its dealings with Aboriginal peoples and all levels of government in Canada. Diamonds are Forever. Diamonds are for Good.
- 30 -
| For further information contact: |
Linda Dorrington
Manager Public and Corporate Affairs
De Beers Canada Inc
Telephone: 416-645-1710 ext 2107
Mobile: 416-818-2254
Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com
|
|
