NNSL (Jan 15/97) - The World Wildlife Fund has dropped its demand for a judicial review of recommendations made by a federally-appointed panel on the BHP diamond mine.

The international environmental organization which launched the Federal Court case with the help of former prime minister John Turner, said Monday they have received the promises they want concerning protected spaces.

"We feel we have the commitments that are important," said Monte Hummel, WWF Canada president.

"I didn't have a big bone to pick with the company, but I did with the regulating agencies. I've always said the company has done more or less what a company is expected to do."

During public hearings into the BHP application before the Environmental Assessment Review panel last year, Hummel said he became alarmed.

He was concerned the federal and territorial governments had paid little attention to protecting unique ecosystems throughout the North, particularly where intensive mining staking was taking place.

The fact the environmental panel did not recommend specific action on protected areas also worried the WWF. It threatened legal action last July.

Ottawa and the territorial government have agreed to engage in a protected areas strategy since that time, however.

As a result of the move to legal action, Hummel said, a clear precedent for other projects has been established.

Mining companies now have to consider if their project is in an area under nomination for a protected space or in an area that would complete a network of protected areas, Hummel said.

"Now we just have to make sure they do what they say they're going to do," he added.