Nunavut sparkling over diamond prospects

Gary Park

Petroleum News Calgary correspondent

Nunavut Territory is one step closer to joining its Northwest Territories neighbor in the diamond mining business.

The Inuit of western Nunavut and Tahera Corp. reached an agreement-in-principle that is essential to development of the Jericho diamond mine.

The deal guarantees benefits to the region’s 4,500 Inuit, including jobs, training and business opportunities, said Charlie Evalik, president of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.

He said mining is “one of the sectors we need to pursue for economic opportunities for the Inuit people.

“The jobs and contracts that Inuit and Inuit firms receive from the mine will create a lot of economic wealth for the Kitikmeot Inuit.”

A Tahera spokesman welcomed the historic agreement which is required under the Nunavut Land Claim that was the basis of creating the territory before any mine project can proceed.

He said it represents the “birth of the diamond industry” in Nunavut.

The agreement also covers special considerations and compensation from Tahera for traditional, social and cultural concerns and the impact on Inuit water rights.

The Ekati and Diavik diamond mines are already producing in the Northwest Territories and the Snap Lake project is scheduled to start full production in 2007.