For immediate release
December 21, 2006
MEDIA RELEASE
RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT BY DE BEERS ENSURES PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR NORTHERN ONTARIO’S ABORIGINAL COMMUNITIES
Toronto, Thursday, December 21, 2006 - The De Beers Canada Victor Project is a shining example of responsible development in northern Ontario. It is a project that has sought the involvement of the community, undergone one of the most rigorous environmental assessments in the country and continues to work with local leadership and all levels of government to ensure the highest standards of environmental management are adhered to for the life of the mine and beyond.
A moratorium on development and negotiations with the mining industry serves only to impede the development of sustainable futures for the people of northern Ontario. By working with industry, Aboriginal people of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) treaty area can reap the benefits now, as they continue to resolve revenue sharing agreements and land claims with the Canadian government.
Working with Communities
Our position is that the Aboriginal people of Canada, and particularly those within the NAN territory, require immediate economic development opportunities. Resource development can achieve this, as the Attawapiskat First Nation have done with the Victor Project, signing an Impact Benefit Agreement (IBA) that ensures direct benefits in the areas of employment, business opportunities, training and education.
To date, approximately 70% of the workforce at Victor has come from northern Ontario and more than 400 persons from First Nations have been employed during construction. Almost $125 million have been invested in Aboriginal joint venture contracts. De Beers Canada has also funded the construction of an $800,000 training centre in Attawapiskat to help prepare the community for employment at Victor for the life of the mine.
Environmental Excellence
The Victor Project is situated in the Hudson Plains ecozone, as defined by the National Ecological Framework for Canada, north of the boreal forest region. The project’s surroundings are best described as swampland or muskeg. This region must be protected and we have taken significant measures to ensure our impact on the environment is minimal.
After an extensive three-year Environmental Assessment (EA) process involving both federal and provincial governments, more than 100 meetings with local communities, and feedback from various NGOs, De Beers Canada received approval for the Victor Project Comprehensive Study Environmental Assessment in 2005.
In the EA it was concluded that the project presented no significant adverse environmental impacts. As required by the EA, provincial and federal permits, and an agreement with the Attawapiskat First Nation, De Beers undertakes monitoring of the environment in the project area. To date, the results support the conclusions made in the EA, including concerns for local caribou populations and water quality. This is significant, as construction activity and personnel on site this year is double what it will be once the mine begins operations in 2008.
The caribou monitoring program has shown that animals collared during the winter of 2004 continue to return to their historic calving grounds. A recent survey in December, 2006, showed that more than twice as many caribou were observed in the area than previous years. All of the animals observed appeared to be robust and healthy and there was a good representation of calves from the previous calving season.
The on-going water quality monitoring program indicates that there has been no significant change in the quality of the water in the local streams and rivers as compared to the pre-construction period.
Shaping the Future
As evidenced above, our experience contradicts recent criticism of the Federal and Provincial Government’s environmental assessment processes which are comprehensive and thorough. We are committed to working with all our stakeholders, including all levels of government, to improve and streamline the process for conducting environmental assessments and obtaining permits.
De Beers Canada values the input of community members and actively seeks their involvement at every stage of development. We have consulted to prepare for every aspect of the mine’s lifecycle, including exploration, construction, operations and closure. Our environmental record is exemplary, and with the assistance of third party scientific studies, we are confident that the community’s way of life, and quality of life, will be preserved and enhanced by our contribution.
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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
Mobile: 416-818-2254
Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com
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