Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

KUGLUKTUK (Dec 21/98) - The community that stands to feel the most environmental effects of the proposed Diavik diamond project wants a 100 per cent guarantee its water supply will not be effected by the mine.

"One of the questions asked was 'Is Diavik going to give us a 100 per cent guarantee our water won't get polluted," said resident Joe Allen. "A representative from Diavik said they could not give us a 100 per cent guarantee."

"I quickly got the microphone and said 'If you're not going to give us a 100 per cent guarantee, don't operate."

Allen was one of more than 100 residents who attended a consultation meeting hosted by Diavik and DIAND last Wednesday.

Allen said he has spoken to many residents of the community about the proposed mine and most are very concerned about the effect it will have on water quality.

Though Kugluktuk is approximately 400 kilometres by air from the mine, its water supply comes from the Coppermine River, which drains out of Lac de Gras. Diavik hopes to dike off and drain part of the lake to extract diamonds beneath the lake bed.

"I see it (Lac de Gras) as our water tank and the river as a water pipe," said Allen. "My mind is always wondering how much pollution will go into our water tank."

He said he is particularly concerned about spring run-off into the lake from tailing ponds and the treatment of sewage waste from the camp. Allen said Diavik estimated it was 98 per cent sure the water supply would not be adversely affected.

RWED's regional biologist for the Kitikmeot noted the risk to water quality comes from the leaching of water through crushed rock that will be dug up as part of the mining process.

"Basically, they don't know what the level of leaching will be from this crushed rock," said Brent Patterson.

Diavik predicts phosphorus levels will increase in parts of the lake, causing increased fish growth and health.

"I've analyzed the information they've provided and I can't find any reason to disagree with their predictions," said Patterson. He said they would have to be extremely far off to have any effect on the Coppermine char and trout in the lake.

On the other side of the coin are the prospects of much-needed jobs. As it is in most northern communities, unemployment is a huge problem in Kugluktuk.

But economic development officer Donald Havioyak said those benefits do not override concerns residents have about the effect the mine will have on the environment.

"As a past mayor and the EDO, I hear that the general feeling of the community is that they support these kinds of projects as long as they meet all of the environmental and socio-economic requirements," said Havioyak.