Arctic diamond exploration in Canada gets green light

Gary Park, Petroleum News Calgary correspondent

Canada’s Indian Affairs and Northern Development Minister Robert Nault has authorized exploration for diamonds on Victoria Island in the Arctic, despite concerns about the threat to caribou.

The proposal, which has been rejected three times by the island community of Homan, was sent to Nault after being cleared by an environmental review board established under the Inuvialuit land claims agreement. Commander Resources said it will begin operations on the island Aug. 1. Joseph Haluksit, the head of the Holman community corporation, was one of those who signed a letter to Nault opposing the exploration. He said caribou are more important to the residents than diamonds.