Venture will generate 20 jobs
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Dec 18/00) - Kete Whii Ltd. has signed a nine-year, ore-transport contract with BHP worth $30 million.
The company, which was named after respected aboriginal broker Kete Whii, is the first-ever joint venture between Dogrib Treaty 11 and Akaitcho Treaty 8.
Whii acted as middleman in an agreement between leaders Akaitcho and Edzo that lead to a period of peace and prosperity.
Kete Whii Ltd. will be responsible for moving diamond-bearing kimberlite ore from the BHP Ekati mine's Misery pit to the processing plant at the mine site.
The company begins hauling ore from the Misery pit in mid-2001. Pre-stripping at Misery is currently under way.
"We can show industry and government if we get together we can make things happen," said Dogrib Grand Chief Joe Rabesca.
"Today, I am proud we can work together. BHP and Diavik have other pits they want to open. This is a starting point," he said.
"We can make this grow."
Dettah Chief Richard Edjericon said that in the past aboriginal groups have competed for contracts but that has to come to an end.
He added the Kete Whii Ltd. contract represents what he hopes is the first of many.
"The thing that came out loud and clear was that we can all work together," said Ian Goodwin, BHP Diamonds manager of maintenance and supply. "We see (this leading to) employment and training in the community," he adds.
The deal is expected to generate 20 jobs.
Dogrib Treaty 11 includes Rae-Edzo, What Ti, Gameti, and Wekweti. Akaitcho Treaty 8 includes Dettah, Ndilo and Lutsel K'e.
Misery, located about 30 kilometres from the mine, will be the second kimberlite pipe to be mined at Ekati.
