by Mark Sproxton
Northern News Services
NNSL (OCT 09/96) - The 60-day deadline has come and gone.
Ottawa said on Aug. 8 that BHP Diamonds had two months to make "significant progress" on negotiating impact benefits agreements with NWT aboriginal groups that could be affected by their diamond mine project.
That deadline arrived yesterday with no word from Ottawa on whether or not the diamond mine project could or could not proceed.
"Work is progressing," said Kate McCready, communications assistant to Ron Irwin, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development.
"All the partners are at the table and we're pleased with the progress to date."
She would not say when an announcement from Irwin would be forthcoming.
"I can't discuss the timing with you, but there will be an advisory," she said Tuesday morning.
On Aug. 8 Irwin gave conditional approval for the project at Lac de Gras, about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife.
Since that time, BHP has also been working on negotiating an impact benefit agreement with the territorial government.
BHP officials have said if approval for the project is delayed, they may shut the program down and leave the diamonds in the ground.
Figures from the mining company show about 1,000 people will be employed during the construction phase.
After that there will be about 830 permanent jobs during the projected 25 year mine life.
BHP also estimates Northerners will earn $39 million a year through direct and indirect employment opportunities over the life of the mine.