SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - The operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine has some work to do when it comes to implementing traditional knowledge in its monitoring activities as well as consulting aboriginal groups about its plans for closing the mine, says an independent watchdog group.

John McCullum, executive director of the Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board, says Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. needs to begin incorporating traditional knowledge into its monitoring practices. - NNSL file photo Signatories to the environmental agreement The Diavik Environmental Agreement (EA), signed in 2000, created the Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board (EMAB). It is tasked with monitoring the environmental mitigation measures taken at the Diavik mine, which is majority owned by Rio Tinto. The signers of the agreement were: Tlicho government Kitikmeot Inuit Association Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation Yellowknives Dene First Nation North Slave Metis Alliance Government of the Northwest Territories Government of Nunavut Government of Canada Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (operator of the mine)

Two weeks ago, the Yellowknife-based Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board (EMAB) released its annual report, which included the findings of several EMAB meetings with aboriginal groups.

The report also contained the recommendations of an independent consultant hired by EMAB to measure to what degree both the advisory board and Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (DDMI) have followed the guidelines of the mine's environmental

agreement, which created EMAB.

That independent review - conducted by Senes Consultants Ltd. of Yellowknife - cited some of the same concerns brought up EMAB in its annual report.

"In general, there's a lot of work to do to implement the various commitments that are in the (environmental agreement), and that's really where we want to focus, particularly the issue of improving aboriginal involvement and the inclusion of traditional knowledge in the monitoring programs," said John McCullum, executive director of the advisory board.

McCullum said EMAB has held several meetings with aboriginal groups (see sidebar) to gauge to what degree Diavik is following through on the commitments it made in the environmental agreement, signed in 2000.

Frequently, the lack of traditional knowledge within Diavik's wildlife monitoring program and aquatic effects monitoring program was brought up by participants, he said.

"The lack of use of traditional knowledge in the monitoring is a real concern for people and a commitment that they expected would progress better than it has," said McCullum.

Chief Ted Tsetta of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation - one of several aboriginal groups with whom Diavik signed the environmental agreement - could not be reached for comment.

Last December, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. submitted its interim closure plan for the mine to signers of the agreement.

EMAB thought some things were missing from the plan, said McCullum.

"We felt that the community engagement was not quite adequate there," he said.

The closure plan does not include an analysis of the effect of climate change on the mine's infrastructure, some of which rests on permafrost, he added.

This year, for the second year in a row, Diavik cut EMAB's budget - which is generally around $600,000 per year - by $150,000.

"While the matter is in arbitration, it would not be appropriate for us to discuss," said Doug Ashbury, spokesperson for DDMI.

Ashbury could not be reached for comment on the findings of EMAB's report.

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