By Bryan Eneas

Diamond mine’s provincial environmental assessment nears completion

Apr 20, 2018 | 5:00 PM

Star Diamond Corps proposed a diamond mine near the Fort-a-la-Corne forest nearly 23 years ago; now, the environmental assessment process is nearing completion.

According to Brianne England, a manager of applications within the Ministry of Environment, work is moving forward to advance the diamond mine and said the ministry made “significant progress on the duty to consult obligations.”

“We’re nearing a decision… we’re collecting information in advance of a decision,” England said. “[The environmental assessment is] the key approval, and the one that takes the longest amount of time in terms of the Ministry of Environment.”

She said there are could be at least nine more permits or approvals the company needs to acquire at the provincial level through the Ministry of Environment. Different approvals from the Water Security Agency also need to be obtained. The company also needs at least one permit from the Ministry of Highways as well.

She said the remaining permits typically have a faster turn-around time than the environmental assessment.

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In February 2017, the provincial government committed $137,000 to complete Environmental Assessment-type discussions with the James Smith Cree Nation, a stakeholder in the project. Leaders in the Indigenous community previously voiced their concerns over the project.

While England couldn’t speak to specifics in regards to the Cree Nation’s concerns, however she provided a brief rundown of what came up in discussions.

“The project trigged the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate due to the removal of right-of-access to the proposed lease area,” England said.

She added the potential impact to the Treaty rights to hunting, fishing, trapping and other traditional land uses were raised by the Cree Nation.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas