Environmental Review Board Gives Snap Lake Thumbs Up
July 29, 03
De Beers Canada Mining says today that a Northwest Territories environmental review board has recommended that its Snap Lake diamond project proceed to the regulatory phase of approvals.
Approval of the project has been slow, meeting various obstacles on the way, including the lack of support and confidence of local residents. The approval from the Review Board took 14 months.
If the project passes the next stage successfully, De Beers plans to start working on the mine next year.
Commenting on the report, Richard Molyneux, President and CEO of De Beers Canada said, “This is a significant step forward for our project and we are pleased that it has received a positive recommendation from the Board.
“We hope to receive the land and water use permits during the first quarter of next year, allowing us to use the 2004 winter road to start site activities.”
“Achieving a balance between environmental, social and economic considerations is the guiding principle of our approach to project development and the operation of our mines. The socio-political conditions within which we operate are a significant factor in our planning and inform our decisions about where to focus our investments,” Molyneux added.
Snap Lake is one of De Beers’ two most advanced diamond projects in Canada. The company plans to build an underground diamond mine on the property, which is located 220 km northeast of Yellowknife. The company’s second advanced project is the Victor Project in northeastern Ontario near the community of Attawapiskat, at which a full feasibility is underway.