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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
NWT's newest potential diamond project put its obligations to the North Slave Metis in black and white July 10.

North Slave Metis Alliance president Bill Enge, left, and De Beers Canada chief operating officer Glen Koropchuk sign an impact benefit agreement for the Gahcho Kue Project. - photo courtesy of De Beers Canada

The Gahcho Kue Joint Venture, of which 51 per cent is owned by De Beers and 49 per cent is owned by Mountain Province Diamonds, and the North Slave Metis Alliance signed an impact benefit agreement, which outlines annual payments, training programs, scholarships, and business opportunities awarded to the NSMA through the project.

The details of this agreement or other impact benefit agreement are not public.

North Slave Metis Alliance president Bill Enge characterized De Beers' approach to the negotiations as one of goodwill and integrity, adding the process was relatively efficient due to the success of the agreement already in place between the alliance and De Beers in regards to Snap Lake.

"We're very happy with (the Gahcho Kue) impact benefit agreement," Enge said.

"This (agreement) pretty much mirrors the one we have with De Beers with respect to their Snap Lake diamond mine and using that impact benefit agreement that we already have with De Beers as a template we were able to expedite the negotiations as we had something to work from."

"This is the first impact benefit agreement to be concluded for the proposed Gahcho Kue Mine," stated Glen Koropchuk, chief operating officer for De Beers Canada, in a release issued July 10. "The two negotiating teams worked hard and efficiently to complete this agreement, which is mutually beneficial and builds on the strong relationship already established. It incorporates the shared learning we have from our experience working together over the years at the Snap Lake Mine

"The negotiation of further impact benefit agreements is continuing."

Enge said agreements like this one help the North Slave Metis Alliance to fight for the rights of its members, which has resulted in expensive court proceedings in the past, and be a functional organization.

"The North Slave Metis people intend to continue to press their aboriginal rights in this territory and we have the financial resources to do that by way of securing impact benefit agreement benefits," Enge said. "We get funding and we also secure funding through business opportunities.

"They are unencumbered funds and we use them to ensure we have the organizational infrastructure we need to assert our rights and provide services to our members."

The business and training opportunities outlined in the agreement are the most important benefits the North Slave Metis get out of the agreement because of the long-term capacity they build, which outlive the mine and the annual payments, Enge said.

"We really appreciate that mining companies respect that we have aboriginal rights. They've taken steps to make sure those aboriginal rights are addressed and De Beers has done this for a second time."

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