NNSL (JAN 08/97) - Ottawa has approved the water licence for BHP Diamond's mine at Lac de Gras.

With the announcement, the final regulatory steps for Canada's first diamond mine are almost complete.

The water licence takes into account water use, waste discharge, abandonment and restoration, a security deposit and general reporting requirements. All were discussed during the NWT Water Board's public hearings last year.

Ottawa and BHP will also sign six land leases with 30-year terms, though no date for the signing has been set.