Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 24/99) - A joint-venture of the Yellowknives Dene and an Alberta-based remote climate specialist company has been awarded a major construction contract by Diavik Diamond Mines, it was announced.

The $4.6-million Diavik camp-building contract has been awarded to Ndilo-based Ek'Ati Services Ltd., set up by economic development company Deton'Cho Investments North and PTI Group, Diavik Diamond Mines said.

"This contract is the first substantial mining contract for the Yellowknives Dene people," Deton'Cho chairman Darrell Beaulieu said in a release.

"And we hope its just the first of several that we will win for the Diavik project," he said.

"We know that our traditional lands are rich in mineral wealth, and this is a resource we will rely on more in the future."

Beaulieu also said the Diavik contract offers Yellowknives Dene the chance to establish themselves as a mining supplier and service provider.

"We are committed to providing opportunities to local people and businesses. It makes good business sense to work with people who live here, both in the short and the long term," Doug Willy, Diavik's vice-president of community and government affairs, said.

PTI, which build exploration diamond mining camps for BHP and Kennecott, is a private company based in Edmonton. Other projects include a hotel in Vladivostok and offshore drilling camps for Iran.

The Diavik camp contract is one of several Diavik Diamond Mines plans to award over the next three months in time for the mobilization, site preparation and infrastructure work planned to start in January 2000, provided the necessary construction approvals are in place by the end of this year.

Simultaneous to the camp construction deal, Diavik announced a one-year $12.6 million mine site services contract to Tli Cho Logistics, a partnership between Atco Frontec Services and the Dogrib Rae Band. The services range from airport operations, to maintenance, to snow removal and other site services.

Construction of the mine is contingent on Environment Ministry approval, receipt of permits and shareholder approval in time to access the winter road.

Earlier this month, Diavik Diamond Mines awarded a $1.9-million fuel tank contract to Hay River-based Northern Transportation Company Ltd.