Press Release - October 24, 2013 - Behchokǫ̀, NT

Tłı̨chǫ Government Consent Contingent on Agreements

The federal Minister has given the green light for the Gahcho Kue diamond project to proceed. The Tłı̨chǫ Government did recommend to the Minister that the Report of Environmental Impact Review be returned for reconsideration.

The Tłı̨chǫ Government has not given consent for the project to proceed. There are outstanding commitments that are vital to achieving the nation’s consent. The Tłı̨chǫ Government acknowledges that the Minister has chosen a different path than what was suggested through the regulatory process by the nation.

Tłı̨chǫ Government consent is contingent on fulfillment of conditions. These include:  

• A fair Impact and Benefit Agreement with De Beers that stands up against other agreements held by De Beers in other parts of the country and those held by other companies. To date, satisfaction has not been achieved with these negotiations. Nothing in the Report of Environmental Impact Review or commitments made to date by De Beers meaningfully deals with provision of benefits to offset the environmental, socio-economic and cultural effects the mine will have on the Tłı̨chǫ people and our lands and communities. The Tłı̨chǫ Agreement requires an IBA be negotiated prior to consenting to the Project.

• There are also negotiations going on for an environmental agency for the mine, called Ni Hadi Yati. Ni Hadi Yati means, “Watching and Listening on the Land” – this agreement is meant to give environmental certainty to the Indigenous Governments in the region. Completion of an agreement for this critical environmental agency is required prior to Tłı̨chǫ Government providing its consent.

For further comment, contact:
Marjorie Matheson Maund
Implementation Facilitator, Special Projects
Tłı̨chǫ Ndek’àowo / Tłı̨chǫ Government
Phone: 867-766-4003 Ext: 1002