Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Apr 03/00) - Diavik Diamond Mines has obtained land leases from the federal government, it was announced Thursday.

The leases are latest in a list of approvals and requirements Diavik has obtained as it moves toward commencement of construction of the Diavik diamond mine at Lac de Gras.

The leases, authorized by DIAND Minister Bob Nault earlier this week, pertain to construction of the mine as outlined in the comprehensive study report.

Still required for the project are the water licence, federal fisheries authorization and navigable waters permit, as well as participation (impact benefit) agreements with four aboriginal groups.

As well as environmental approval, Diavik has completed socio-economic and environmental agreements, obtained blasting and land-use permits and completed one participation agreement.

Janet Robinson, risk manager for Robinson Trucking Ltd., said Diavik will have shipped all they had hoped to from their revised shipping requirements.

"Everything that they had prioritized, once they got the go-ahead, will be in before the road goes out," Robinson said last week. "Roughly about 600 loads through now, and about 75 more to go."

The 675 loads were roughly half of what Diavik had originally proposed to ship, but because of regulatory delays, the company was forced to restructure logistics.