In July, a government and aboriginal review board approved the Gahcho Kue diamond mine. Now, three aboriginal groups are pleading with the federal government to stop the project, Alaska Dispatch reports.

The proposed mine – owned by De Beers and Mountain Province Diamond – is located 300km east of Yellowknife and would require draining portions of Kennady Lake.

The groups oppose the plans as they stand, citing concerns over water quality, caribou and fish habitats and the future of the lake.

When the review panel approved the project last month they recognized that the “project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental impacts” but found that the economic benefits would outweigh these environmental concerns.

Aboriginal groups Lutsel K’e Dene, the Yellowknives Dene, and the Tlicho say they will ask the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to review the project further.

Two other diamond mines in the Northwest Territories – Diavik and Ekati – are reaching their expiration date and Gahcho Kue is expected to help alleviate some production drop-off from these sites.

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Northwest Territories Native groups urge Canada to stop diamond mine’s current plan

CBC News (Eye on the Arctic) – http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/20130826/northwest-territories-nat...

26 August 2013

Three aboriginal groups in the Northwest Territories are urging the federal government not to approve the territory’s latest diamond mine as it’s currently proposed.

The Gahcho Kue mine, a joint venture between diamond conglomerate De Beers and Mountain Province Diamond Inc., is situated almost 300 kilometres east of Yellowknife and southeast of the existing Snap Lake diamond project.

The project passed its environmental review last month, but the Lutsel K’e Dene, the Yellowknives Dene, and the Tlicho government say the company’s plans to reduce impacts on the environment are not good enough.

Two of the territory’s major diamond mines — Diavik and Ekati — lifespans are winding down, and although it’s smaller, Gahcho Kue could offset that production drop-off. To get at the diamonds, De Beers and Mountain Province Diamonds propose to drain the southern part of Kennady Lake.

The project’s critics say the review does not address their concerns about water quality, caribou, or the future of Kennady Lake after it’s drained for mining. They also say there’s no clear benefit to people in the area.

They’re asking the minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development to order further review on the project.