Dane Gibson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 17/99) - No stone was left unturned at Diavik's NWT Water Board Hearing, Dec. 13-15.

Every aspect of Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.'s (DDMI) water licence application was scrutinized.

First Nations, government, and environmental organizations were there to request the water board demand Diavik address the uncertainties that surround the proposed multi-billion dollar Lac de Gras project.

A passionate presentation was made by Dogrib Treaty 11, who had a panel of elders and scientists deliver their intervention.

Mining expert and geologist Dr. Kevin Morin, who is a consultant to Dogrib Treaty 11, spoke to Yellowknifer after presenting his case.

"Whenever Diavik has made a prediction about a possible environmental problem, they always minimize the problem," said Morin.

"What we've heard is that in an ideal world, Diavik's predictions may be right, but there's always problems in a project this size. What we're doing is trying to point out the serious problems and show how bad they could be."

He said the data put forth by DDMI surrounding their environmental predictions use only the "best-case scenario" impact figures.

Morin added that the comprehensive Dogrib Treaty 11 intervention wasn't an effort to halt the project, but an effort to ensure the mine that is built won't negatively affect the land and water.

"If you find a project is too big of a threat to the environment or if the project has a lot of uncertainties, then the aspects of the mine that cause concern can be redesigned so they're not so dangerous any more," said Morin.

Penelope Shaw is a biologist and mineral exploration expert who works as a consultant for companies and individuals wishing to stake a diamond claim. She sat through three days of presentations at the hearing.

Started out neutral

"I started out neutral because I think, in general, compared to other forms of mining, diamond mines are relatively benign," said Shaw.

"At the conclusion of the hearing I felt conflicted. This ore body is right underneath Lac de Gras, and I was quite touched by the testimony of the elders."

Because there is a process available to produce synthetic diamonds for industrial use, which isn't the case for minerals like gold and copper, she questions the need for the mine at all.

"When I saw the characteristics of the Coppermine watershed, and how unique and fragile the area is, I decided I don't want a diamond for Christmas and I don't know if I want to do any more diamond staking," said Shaw.

"It's not that I don't feel Diavik has done a good job, but on balance I can't see anything I value coming out of this project. We can find other ways to employ Northern workers."

For Diavik, the public hearing is just another step in a process that has already cost them more than $170 million. In all, it will take $1.3 billion to bring Diavik to production.

Diavik's vice-president of Environmental Affairs, Murray Swyripa, said Diavik filed substantial technical information with the NWT Water Board in September.

He added that with the "detailed and provocative interventions" of the past three days, Diavik believes the water board has sufficient information to issue a water licence that will allow Diavik to proceed.

"We remain fully committed to constructing and operating our mine in a manner that respects the Northern environment and Northern people," said Swyripa.