For immediate release
December 12, 2002DE BEERS AND ATTAWAPISKAT FIRST NATION FORMALIZE AGREEMENT
FOR VICTOR PROJECT
Toronto,
12 December 2002 — At a community event in
Attawapiskat this week De Beers Canada and the Attawapiskat
First Nation formally signed the Feasibility Partnering Agreement,
which was reached in October. This agreement replaces the
Memorandum of Understanding which was terminated in July
and
provides the framework for addressing environmental monitoring,
health and safety issues on site, permitting, and business
opportunities for the community.
In
terms of this agreement the Attawapiskat First Nation will
support the current winter programme at Victor and the feasibility
study, which will commence in January and conclude at the
end of 2003.
De Beers has agreed to
provide $600 000 towards the cost of constructing a training
centre in the community and is prepared to assist
the community in their applications for further funding for
the centre. The company has proposed that the training
centre
be built using modular construction, comprising three classrooms,
including a computer laboratory and workshop, a library,
daycare
facility for children, offices and accommodation for training
centre staff and a central meeting area.
In
terms of the agreement De Beers is providing $50 000
of the cost to run an education upgrading or bridging programme.
The Mushkegowuk Council is expected to cover the remaining
$30 000 of the cost. The programme is aimed at upgrading
students
to grade 12 in math, science and literacy so that they are
equipped for apprenticeship programmes or further education.
Speaking
at the event Mr Richard Molyneux, President and CEO of De Beers Canada said “Educational upliftment and capacity
building is a cornerstone of De Beers’ social
investment policy and part of our wider commitment to sustainable
development.”
In addition, De Beers
has agreed to provide $150 000 to the Attawapiskat First
Nation to promote economic and social development
amongst their members. It has also been agreed that the First
Nation will build the winter access road from the community
to the project site. This contract is worth approximately
$250 000.
At the signing ceremony, Chief
Theresa Hall said, “The
signing of this agreement represents the foundation upon which
we can build our relationship with De Beers into the
future.”
“Approximately 80 to 90 percent of the Attawapiskat
First Nation is living on welfare. This is not a situation
we wish to see continue. The possibility of a mine at Victor
presents our young people with something to aim for in furthering
their education and an incentive to lift themselves out of
dependence on welfare,” said Chief Hall.
The signing ceremony was followed by series of community meetings
in Attawapiskat. In these meetings the company provided details
of work being carried out as part of the winter programme
and proposals for access logistics to the Victor project site.
“De Beers believes that meaningful consultation and
transparent communication is an essential component of the
success of our projects. This consultation and communication
forms the basis of our relationships with the communities
in which we operate,” said Molyneux.
The decision on whether or
not to construct a mine at Victor will be made after the
completion of a positive feasibility
study, the successful negotiation of an Impact Benefit Agreement
(IBA), issuing of the necessary permits, and the provision
of funding by the De Beers Board. Both parties have
committed to begin negotiations on an IBA in January 2003.
- Ends -
| For
further information contact:
|
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
|
Thomas
Tookate
Councillor - Attawapiskat First Nation
General Manager - Attawapiskat Development Corporation
Email: tookate@onlink.net
Tel: (705) 997-2375
Fax: (705) 997-3422 |
|
