Hearing Finds De Beers' Gahcho Kue Mine Plans Insufficient

(IDEX Online News) – The Yellowknives Dene First Nation in the Northwest Territories says De Beers’ plans for its Gahcho Kue mine site don't go far enough in protecting the environment.

The Gahcho Kue site is located about 280 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, and will be the territory’s fourth diamond mine, with a life of about 11 years.

The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has been reviewing De Beers' water license application for the mine. Todd Slack, of the Yellowknives Dene's land and environment department, said De Beers' plans only contain the minimum protections required.

Slack also expressed concerns about the state of the land following closure of the mine. The Yellowknives expect the land to return to normal, meaning fish and caribou habitat would go back to the current level.

They want to see De Beers prepare a draft reclamation research plan within six months of receiving its water license, in addition to the draft closure and reclamation plan that De Beers has already prepared as part of the water license application. The company has agreed to that recommendation.

The hearings debated the level of security the mine will be expected to post, CBS News reported.

The N.W.T.’s department of Environment and Natural Resources recommends security at a cost of around $84.5 million, while De Beers estimates the security required at $50 million.

De Beers says it got its number by excluding "optional items" not currently included in the development plans and credit for some reclamation items completed during the life of the mine. Both parties also used different methods to arrive at the figures.