Stephan Burnett
Northern News Services

Arctic Bay (Sep 01/03) - The diamond rush on Baffin Island is beginning to heat up.

Kennecott Exploration Canada refused to return phone calls, but the mayor of Arctic Bay, Joanasie Akumalik, said the company held a public meeting in the community earlier this summer.

Twin Mining, which is also active in the area, hasn't met with the community to date.

"It was just an informational meeting," said Akumalik of Kennecott's play. "They're doing some sampling and trying to find some diamonds."

Akumalik said Kennecott has two local employees and Twin Mining has another two local employees.

Even though action in the area is heating up, Akumalik says excitement over the development of a diamond-mining industry on Baffin Island "hasn't surfaced yet."

The Arctic Bay mayor says the community learned their lesson with the Nanisivik Mine and adds Inuit "are concerned about their land. We have learned from the past," said Akumalik.

At the same time, the mayor says the diamond mining industry is expected to be more environmentally friendly than what has gone on in the past.

"Diamond mining is a lot cleaner than lead and zinc: they don't use chemicals," he said.

Akumalik also said Twin Mining has to become more involved with the community.

"We're going to keep pushing them. We have contacts and we know how to contact them," he said.

Jason Sharp, DIAND mineral resources manager says Twin Mining has been in the area, to the west of Arctic Bay, at Jackson Inlet, for four years. "Soon after, Kennecott came in and they've staked a number of claims," said Sharp.

"De Beers picked up a large package in 2002, with well over seven million acres," he said. Stornaway has also been active on the island.