A bit more, from the main company doing the exploring and development, presented without comment for information purposes only....
De Beers and diamonds are good for Canada's Aboriginal communities
News release, 8 Dec 06
TORONTO, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - 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.
Background note to editors:
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Leaders across Canada have publicly recognized the value of diamonds for
Canada:
<<
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, August 17, 2006, at the grand opening
of Tahera Diamond Corporation's Jericho mine in Nunavut: Mines like
Jericho are making Canada one of the largest and most important
diamond producers in the world. There are currently 180 employed at
this mine. This type of success will help build a new North, paving
the way for new and exciting business enterprises.
- Prime Minister Stephen Harper, July 14, 2006 address to UK Chamber of
Commerce: A decade ago Canadian diamonds were only a gleam in a
prospector's eye. Today there are three producing mines and two more
in development. And the Royal Bank predicts diamonds will bring over
30 billion pounds (almost C$70 billion) to the Canadian economy over
the next 25 years.
- Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, June 2006: The Victor diamond project
is great news for the people of Attawapiskat and the surrounding
region. De Beers' investment here means more than just new jobs. It
will provide opportunities for families, local businesses and First
Nation communities.
- Joe Rabesca, former Grand Chief of the Tlicho First Nation, NWT,
March 30, 2006: When we negotiated our first IBA (Impact Benefit
Agreement negotiated with BHP Billiton Ekati Diamond Mine), we focused
on jobs and employment for our people. When the second diamond mine
was developed (Diavik Diamond Mine), the IBA we negotiated focused on
business opportunities. This agreement with De Beers (for the Snap
Lake Project) provides Tlicho citizens with new opportunities to get
their strength from the land through the programs and services that
our government will be able to offer.
- Honorable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, former Minister of State (Northern
Development), February 3, 2005: The Northwest Territories Industrial
Mining Skills Strategy directly opens the door to a wide range of
rewarding careers in the mining industry and enables Aboriginal
communities to take full advantage of the exciting employment
opportunities arising in the NWT's expanding diamond mining industry.
The diamond industry has given Aboriginal communities in the North
plenty of optimism for the future.
World leaders have publicly recognized the value of diamonds for southern
Africa:
- Nelson Mandela: "The diamond industry is vital to the southern African
economy" (17th November 1999)
- Thabo Mbeki, 17th November 2004: "We know that diamonds are a valued
source of employment, foreign exchange, tax revenue, new investments
and play a positive role in enhancing the overall economic well being
of countries and local communities"
- President Mogae of Botswana: "For our people, every diamond purchase
represents food on the table; better living conditions; better
healthcare; safe drinking water; more roads to connect our remote
communities and much more" (7th June 2006)
- President Mogae of Botswana: "We have prudently used the revenues from
diamonds to build a modern nation and a vibrant economy"
(7th June 2006)
- President Mogae of Botswana: "It is thanks to diamonds...that we have
seen our country transform from one of the poorest in the world at
Independence, to the middle income status that it has now attained"
(7th June 2006)
- President Mogae of Botswana: "I urge you to continue supporting us by
buying more and more diamonds because for us the joy of your
celebrations with diamonds is also our joy" (7th June 2006)
>>
For further information: Linda Dorrington, Manager, Public and Corporate
Affairs, De Beers Canada Inc., Tel: (416) 645-1710 ext 2107, Cell: (416)
818-2254, Email: linda.dorrington@ca.debeersgroup.com