Prairie Creek Mine rich in resources
Mining community formalizes commitments to Aboriginal peoples
Tahera unveils 2007 exploration plans
Open letter to Leonardo DiCaprio from Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Mike Carpenter
Fortune Minerals achieves environmental assessment milestone toward Mount Klappan Development
Black Lake First Nation partners with CanAlaska in uranium exploration
Diamonds are good for Canada’s Aboriginal communities
Prairie Creek Mine rich in resources
By Dene Skylar
Canadian Zinc Corporation’s Prairie Creek Mine sits on one of the richest silver-zinc-lead veins found on earth. Located at Prairie Creek just north of Nahanni Butte, Northwest Territories, this mine has a rich history and lots of potential.
(Left to right) Canadian Zinc’s Rita Cli, Alan B. Taylor, and Leon Konisenta.
The history of Prairie Creek is exciting and full of potential. A local trapper discovered vein outcrops along Prairie Creek in 1928. Poole Field staked the first mineral claims in the area in 1934. In 1966 Cadillac Explorations Ltd. acquired the claims, established a permanent camp, and started underground work. In 1968 Cadillac discovers and explores 12 vein zones. In 1980 major construction began on Cadillac Mine. In 1982 $64 million was spent on new surface facilities which were 90% complete. The mine also received a water license to operate, but due to market conditions Cadillac was forced to stop work. In 1991 Canadian Zinc, previously called San Andreas Resources, acquired Prairie Creek.
From 1991 to 2004 Canadian Zinc completed exploration diamond drilling that further defined and increased the mineral resource base. In 2005 Canadian Zinc built a polishing pond and water treatment plant. In 2006 Canadian Zinc applied for operating permits.
According to Canadian Zinc published materials, “Almost everything needed to operate the mine is already in place, built during 1980-82, when it was known as Cadillac Mine. There is a winter road corridor that leads from the mine to the Liard Highway, an airstrip, housing, offices, workshops, underground tunnels, a large mill (processing plant), and lots of heavy equipment. The re-opening of Prairie Creek Mine will provide an exceptional economic opportunity for the region, without sacrificing protection of the environment.”
Canadian Zinc also states their commitment to local communities by saying, “Every year, Canadian Zinc awards scholarships to help local students interested in a college education. The scholarships are available to students in three local communities: one each from Fort Simpson, Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte. Canadian Zinc is active in the communities because we feel the mine will benefit everyone in the Dehcho region, not just the company. Flights go in and out of the mine during the summer months with people who want to tour the mine and learn more about what is going on at Prairie Creek. In Fort Simpson, there is an office filled with information about the mine. The office is open to anyone interested in learning more about Prairie Creek, and there is always someone to talk to.”
Native Journal caught up with Rita Cli and Leon Konisenta who are both Dene who live in communities near the mine and who now work for Canadian Zinc Corporation. Cli, a former Chief and strong community development activist, states, “The people of the Dehcho are not against development. They want meaningful involvement in it. This means consultation as development progresses. It also means employment opportunities. For example, a former leader is working at the mine site and he says he can put food on his table to feed his family and he can purchase goods like a new truck. Canadian Zinc has scholarships and they are trying to come up with some kind of training package. This is a real good opportunity for our youth and our children’s future. What really ticks me off is our people need jobs and instead of working together with us some people work behind the scene against us… environmentalists are working to put fear in them. Who knows the land better [than] our people! We have to work together… development and environment management can co-exist.”
Leon Konisenta agrees. He says, “There are no jobs at Nahanni Butte so it would be good to have employment opportunities. In the past a few people worked at Cadillac Mine. You gotta have work because now jobs and training are important and it is expensive to pay for fuel bills, groceries, so you have to have employment.”
As Canadian Zinc works to bring their Prairie Creek Mine into production, they face a plethora of potential obstacles. Everything from environmentalists to disgruntled claims negotiators can put up barriers that hold up development or potentially jeopardize it due to uncertainty. But this does not deter people like Leon Konisenta who served as Chief of the Nahanni Butte Dene Band and whose people are the most closely impacted by any development at the mine.
Konisenta states when speaking of a past winter road used to access the mine, “Lots of people used the winter road to go to their cabins and to travel so why not have the winter road re-opened into Prairie Creek?”
A good question and of course a good answer coming directly from local people who are becoming intimately involved in projects like Prairie Creek Mine. And so they should be as they and their families can also benefit from the opportunities. Only time will tell if Prairie Creek Mine gets to provide the employment opportunities, taxes to Canada and other wealth benefits from mining that accrue to Canada as a whole. Native Journal will continue to watch this exciting project unfold.
Mining community formalizes commitments to Aboriginal peoples
On December 18th, the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) released its draft Framework on Mining and Aboriginal Peoples outlining the commitments its member companies make on the interactions between mining developments and Aboriginal communities.
The draft framework was adopted by the MAC Board on November 22, 2006. It remains draft because the association is committed to undertaking further consultation with Aboriginal communities and organizations in 2007 on its contents and on actions to support the commitments.
Member companies of the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) have agreed to the following commitments with respect to their relationships with Aboriginal Peoples. MAC member companies will:
• Respect Aboriginal rights;
• Acknowledge and respect the social, economic, environmental and cultural interests of Aboriginal Peoples;
• Engage with Aboriginal Peoples and others, including government, in accordance with the TSM External Outreach Indicators, to develop open and effective relationships. This includes:
- building cross-cultural understanding so that company personnel understand Aboriginal Peoples’ culture, values and aspirations, and Aboriginal Peoples understand the company’s principles, objectives, operations and practices;
- undertaking early, timely and culturally appropriate engagement with Aboriginal Peoples throughout the project cycle to ensure their interests in a project and its potential impacts are understood;
- the use of baseline studies, including consideration of traditional knowledge, to minimize potential adverse environmental and social impacts of mining and related activities;
- negotiating agreements for participation, either directly with local Aboriginal peoples or in conjunction with governments, as appropriate;
- working with governments and communities to implement and support community development programs, which may include education, health, cultural, training, employment and business development or other community needs and priorities;
- involving Aboriginal peoples in environmental monitoring, closure planning and reclamation and other environmental activities that may be of interest to them; and
- developing and implementing company policies and systems that support these commitments and encourage suppliers of goods and services to the industry to do the same. The draft framework is a result of a workshop MAC held in Fort McKay, Alberta involving MAC members, members of MAC’s Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) Community of Interest Panel and Aboriginal community representatives. It builds upon MAC members’ commitments to improved performance as part of their adherence to TSM. TSM is a MAC initiative focused on improving mining industry sustainable development performance. Member companies follow guiding principles and report on indicators that measure their performance for specific mining activities such as tailings management and community outreach. The initiative’s development has been guided by a 14-member Community of Interest Advisory Panel.
“Aboriginal Canadians are key partners of today’s mining industry. As a sector, we want to make sure we engage with them effectively, responsibly and respectfully. The draft framework begins to articulate the approach our members will undertake with Aboriginal peoples on mining development activities,” explained Gordon Peeling, President and CEO of MAC. “But we want to hear from more Aboriginal Canadians to make sure that we are describing the kind of relationship they seek with our industry.”
“This is a good step for MAC to take,” added Jim Boucher, Chief of the Fort McKay First Nation and member of the TSM Community of Interest Advisory Panel. “Mining can be an important economic opportunity for our people, when it’s done right.”
The framework has been sent to major Aboriginal peoples organizations for review and comment. In 2007, MAC will be holding workshops with several Aboriginal communities affected by MAC member operations to consult with them on the framework.
Tahera unveils 2007 exploration plans
By Shirley Collingridge
Just months after opening Nunavut’s first diamond mine and weeks after announcing completion of its strategic alliance with powerhouse Teck Cominco, Tahera Diamond Corporation (Tahera) announced that its $8 million exploration budget for 2007 has been approved.
Tahera on-hand flow-through funds of approximately $8 million will fund the 2007 exploration program, which will focus on advancing several of the company’s prospective diamond exploration projects:
• Extraction of approximately 500 tonnes of kimberlite from Tahera's wholly-owned JD-3 Kimberlite to determine its diamond potential. Small scale sampling programs previously indicated the kimberlite is diamondiferous, with the potential of a coarse diamond size distribution profile. The JD-3 Kimberlite lies approximately seven kilometres west of the Jericho minesite.
• Extraction of a 20- to 30-tonne sample from the diamondiferous Anuri Kimberlite to define further its macro diamond distribution characteristics. This joint venture with Kennecott Canada Exploration Inc. (75% Tahera, 25% Kennecott) is located approximately 90 kilometres northwest of the Jericho minesite.
• Analysis of the existing Muskox data in consultation with De Beers Canada Inc. to further understand the diamond potential of the kimberlite, to garner information for planning future work programs. This joint venture project with De Beers Canada Inc. (50% Tahera, 50% De Beers) is located on the Polar Project lands, and lies approximately 14 kilometres west of the Jericho minesite.
• Kimberlite target generation and a drilling program on the Polar Project in areas where unresolved kimberlite indicator mineral trains occur.
• Kimberlite target generation and drill testing on the Jericho Group, encompassing the Jericho minesite and the diamondiferous Bird Lake Kimberlite dyke system.
Tahera expects its exploration strategy of increasing diamond reserves in the area that is within economic trucking distance of the Jericho minesite and developing the company's other highly prospective diamond exploration projects to be advanced significantly through aggressive exploration initiatives.
Tahera Diamond Corporation (TSX-TAH) is a unique Canadian diamond company. Tahera's primary asset is its wholly-owned Jericho Diamond Mine, which represents Canada's third and Nunavut's first diamond mine. Tahera has a diamond purchase and marketing arrangement with Tiffany & Co., one of the world's leading jewellers, ensuring that the Company receives competitive market prices for its Jericho diamonds. Tahera has several other prospective diamond projects in Canada's prolific Slave Craton. For more information, visit www.tahera.com.
By Shirley Collingridge
At only 24, Madeline Mosie has already experienced more challenges than many twice her age. In November, the Dene native from Wollaston Lake lost her mother to cancer. Besides raising her own two children, the single parent is now helping her father look after ten of her 12 brothers and sisters. At home, she puts food on the table each day, preparing and cooking meals. At work, she continues to put food on the table by earning a pay cheque that will help to feed her large family.
Mosie joined one of the growing number of northerners who staff Athabasca Basin Security and Janitorial Service, a holding of the Athabasca Basin Development Limited Partnership (ABDLP). Athabasca Basin Security and Janitorial Service provides security and janitorial services on a term basis. The company currently holds a contract with McClean Lake uranium mine (AREVA) and Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan's Patience Lake Mine.
Mosie took on the job at McClean Lake only six months ago. She is still adjusting to the rigors of the night shift and the week-in, week-out schedule. When I called to interview her in mid-afternoon, I woke Mosie from a sound sleep. The voices of children playing happily in the background made a pleasant backdrop.
At home, she has no time for traditional pursuits. “I don’t do hunting and stuff,” she said. “My dad [does] all that work. Me, I just cook and clean,” she chuckled. “I am just the mother in a houseful of kids.”
“That’s what I do everyday till I go,” she added. “And I always get tired when I get back to work, too. That just totally sucks. But it’s all right – I’m [young]; I can do it. I’m strong.”
“My brother and sister go work for AREVA in McClean Lake, too,” she said. “So we’re all making money for our kids, too.”
To get to work, Mosie says, “We fly from here to Points North and Points North to McClean Lake. It’s 15 minutes to Points North and from Points North, it’s 45 minutes to McClean Lake.”
While she is away, her father looks after Mosie’s one- and seven-year-old along with his own children. She finds it difficult to be away from her children. “Sometimes I miss my kids, sometimes they miss me. It’s okay, I’ve got family here to take care of them,” she said.
“I phone them everyday,” she added. “I totally miss them all the time. They just think that I am just going to PA to buy something. They always think I’m in town, eh – that I’m only a couple of minutes away.”
She reassures them, “I say, I just work for you guys, don’t worry.”
At camp, Mosie gets a break from cooking, but her days are filled with cleaning and laundry. “I wash coveralls and bags – they just put their work clothes in bags so we can wash it,” she said. “I mop the floor and pick up the garbage and stuff – make it all clean.”
Mosie estimates she and her partner wash 20 to 30 pairs of coveralls daily. “We rotate – Sue and Mel in the offices area. I don’t count the [coveralls]. At night shift, it’s too much.”
Night shift is “six to six in the evening – twelve hours, seven days,” says Mosie. She is working the same hours as she would at her dream job.
While she enjoys what she does, this is not her dream. “I like cleaning. This is my first time working, too. That’s so cool,” she said.
“I wanted to become a nurse,” she said. To reach that goal, Mosie has more hurdles to leap. First, she would have to complete her secondary schooling.
“I only went up to 11,” yawned Mosie. “I still got one year to go.In summer, I started working. I got a call from the mines so I had to go make money. Why not, I had to go? It’s money for my kids.
“There’s lot of training up there [at the minesite] and I can’t apply… because you had to finish your grade 12,” she said.
Mosie does not have her grade 12. Yet she speaks three languages: Dene, Cree and English. Her children speak both English and Dene.
In the future, Mosie does plan to pursue her dream. “Go back to school. That’s what I want,” she said.
In the meantime, she encourages her friends to join her at camp. “I always talk to my friends,” she said. “It’s good money there. Be making money instead of just being here, doing nothing,” she tells them.
Open letter to Leonardo DiCaprio from Attawapiskat First Nation Chief Mike Carpenter
Dear Mr. DiCaprio,
I am in receipt of correspondence sent to you from Nishnawbe Aski Nation, Forest Ethics and Rain Forest Action Network with respect to De Beers Canada and their activities within the Nishnawbe Aski Nation traditional territory.
In that letter, they request your assistance as a spokesperson for the "Indigenous communities whose way of life is being threatened by De Beers Diamond activity in Canada."
Our community, Attawapiskat First Nation, is located within one hundred kilometers of the only diamond mine in Ontario and the only one in Nishnawbe Aski Nation territory. We concluded an agreement with De Beers Canada through which our community gave consent for Victor Diamond Mine to proceed. We secured legal commitments from De Beers Canada with respect to the protection of the environment as well as community benefits in the form of employment and business preferences and financial compensation. We see our agreement as a recognition and implementation of our Aboriginal rights in our traditional territory, not as a violation of those rights.
We agree wholeheartedly with the principles outlined in the letter from Alvin Fiddler et al including the need for the protection of the Boreal Forest. However we believe that is important in advancing these principles that the facts be correctly stated. We believe the environmental conditions under which the project is proceeding do protect the region and we have mechanisms through which we will be monitoring the project impacts on the environment and the wildlife, as well as the socio-economic impacts on our community as a whole.
Leonardo DiCaprio
It is critically important to make resource companies accountable to our First Nation communities. There are many, many exploration companies operating within our territory searching for diamonds and other resources who are doing so without consulting with us or securing our permission for their activities.
It seems somewhat unfair to target De Beers Canada who did seek and secure our permission for the project, when so many other companies are exploring in our territory and ignoring us.
If you choose to become a spokesperson for Boreal Forest, this would be a very positive development. However, before doing so, it will be important for you to ensure that the "facts" you are being asked to present as the spokesperson, are accurate.
Yours truly,
Chief Mike Carpenter
Attawapiskat First Nation
Fortune Minerals achieves environmental assessment milestone toward Mount Klappan Development
Fortune Minerals Limited (TSX-FT) is pleased to announce the Environmental Assessment Office ("EAO") of British Columbia has formally defined the terms required for the Environmental Assessment ("EA") of the Mount Klappan Coal Project. This decision, which follows significant consultation efforts by the Company and submission of the EA application's draft Terms of Reference ("ToR") with input from First Nations, the public, and various Government Agencies, represents a significant advancement towards the completion of the EA process.
The EAO has issued an Order under Section 11 of the Environmental Assessment Act S.B.C. 2002 defining the scope, procedures and methods required for the EA of Fortune's Mount Klappan Project. Pursuant to the Order, a public comment period was held from November 27, 2006 to January 8, 2007 regarding the draft ToR. Once the tasks described in the final ToR have been completed, Fortune will be able to file its EA application for its environmental certificate. (An electronic copy of the draft ToR, and information regarding the EA process are available at www.eao.gov.bc.ca).
2005-2006 Baseline Study Fieldwork Completed
The Company has completed the fieldwork for its 2005-2006 environmental baseline studies program examining the mine site and access corridors in support of the EA and permitting processes. The work included detailed soil, vegetation and habitat mapping, rock geochemistry and acid rock drainage assessment, wildlife and bird inventories and habitat assessment, hydrogeology, hydrology and fisheries assessment (including more than 600 water crossings for the proposed access road), wetlands assessment, meteorology and air quality, archaeology, First Nations traditional use, including "Country Foods" assessment, and socio-economic studies. Fortune has been working with Rescan Environmental Services Ltd. and Rescan Tahltan Environmental Consultants Ltd. (collectively Rescan) since 2004 and the information collected will be used with data obtained from the project's previous owners, Gulf Canada Resources Limited (Gulf). This year's program focussed primarily on the proposed 100km access road to be built for truck haulage of coal products to the port of Stewart. Rescan is now compiling reports for submission in support of the EA.
Mount Klappan
The Mount Klappan coal project contains very large resources of high rank anthracite coal in four deposit areas straddling the B.C. Rail right-of-way and roadbed, 150km northeast of the port of Stewart and 330km northeast of the port of Prince Rupert. Fortune Minerals is proposing to construct an open pit mine, wash plant and related infrastructure at Mount Klappan, initially to produce 1.5 million tonnes/per annum of metallurgical coal products primarily for the overseas steel industry. Fortune completed a positive bankable feasibility study in 2005 assessing a number of potential development scenarios. Fortune is also advancing a pre-feasibility economic assessment related to the potential of having a 300MW coal-fired thermal power plant constructed by a third-party at Mount Klappan, which would use coal produced by the Company. This study is being prepared by Marston Canada Ltd. with Richard Marston, P.E. acting as the qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
Fortune Minerals Limited is a diversified natural resource company with seven mineral deposits and a number of exploration projects, all located in Canada. They include the Mount Klappan anthracite coal deposits in British Columbia, the NICO gold-cobalt-bismuth deposit, the Sue-Dianne copper-silver deposit and other base and precious metals exploration projects in the Northwest Territories. Fortune is the managing partner of Formosa Environmental Aggregates Ltd., an industrial mineral company developing the Greenock high calcium limestone quarry in Ontario. The Company is focussed on the assembly and development of high quality mineral resource projects that can generate strong returns for its shareholders.
Black Lake First Nation partners with CanAlaska in uranium exploration
By Shirley Collingridge
CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. and the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation finalized an option agreement to undertake uranium exploration on Black Lake Reserve lands. The lands, covering 32,036 hectares, are located on the northern rim of the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The area has known potential for “Unconformity Style” uranium mineralization. A uranium vein deposit located just outside the edge of the Athabasca unconformity was mined as the Nisto Mine in 1952. Recent exploration has focused on unconformity style uranium discoveries along the Platt Creek fault zone, paralleling the regional Black Lake fault system. The western area of the Reserve lands cover about five kilometres of the Platt Creek-Black Lake fault system. The areas straddle the edge of the Athabasca basin for more than 30 kilometres from east to west, providing a series of prospective environments from near-surface to approximately 200 metres of sandstone depth.
The option agreement enables the Company to earn a 49% interest in the mineral resources contained on the Reserve lands by expending a minimum of Cdn $2 million in exploration expenditures over four years. Under the agreement, CanAlaska will issue to Black Lake Denesuline First Nation up to 300,000 common shares and make cash payments of up to Cdn $130,000. Once CanAlaska has fulfilled its obligations, it will form a joint venture in which its share will be 49%. The agreement contains provisions for the participation of third parties should mineable uranium resources be defined.
Most past exploration on these Reserve Lands was by the Amok/Moka group in the 1960's and by Eldorado Nuclear and SMDC (now amalgamated as Cameco Corporation) from 1975 to 1980. Airborne and ground geophysical surveys were completed, along with approximately 100 drill holes. Pre-1975 work targeted sandstone-hosted uranium mineralization because “unconformity” style deposits were unknown at the time.
Under the agreement, CanAlaska's mandate is to commence modern geophysical surveys across all of the Reserve lands, and to focus progressively on known and newly-identified mineralized trends.
The Company plans to commence exploration in January 2007 with the first airborne survey, as well as a compilation of previous work, leading to target definition, ground geophysics and, ultimately, drilling. Summer 2007 exploration will concentrate on identifying surface alteration and uranium mineralization that may reach surface or may be outcropping along the unconformity. A joint venture partnership is envisioned for the development of any potential discoveries; CanAlaska would act as Project Operator.
“Our agreement with Black Lake Denesuline First Nation represents another important step forward in CanAlaska's objective to develop the mineral resources of the North in partnership with First Nation communities,” said Peter Dasler, President and CEO of CanAlaska. “The Black Lake Lands are within an area of high uranium exploration potential and we are very excited to work hand-in-hand with the local community towards realizing this potential.”
“CanAlaska is one of the most aggressive uranium explorers across the Athabasca Basin and we warmly welcome the participation of local First Nation businesses and individuals in support of our exploration efforts,” he added.
“We are most pleased to be working with CanAlaska in exploring for uranium,” said Chief Frederick Throassie, Chief of the Black Lake Band and principal representative of the Black Lake Denesuline First Nation. “Developing the mineral wealth of our lands for future generations represents one of our highest priorities. If we are successful in finding and developing an economical uranium deposit, the potential exists to improve the economic and social infrastructure of our community significantly. CanAlaska possesses an impressive exploration track record and we look forward to providing our infrastructure and human resources towards ensuring mutual success.”
The Black Lake Denesuline Nation, formerly known as Stony Rapids, is located around 170 kilometres southeast of Uranium City and is 32,819 hectares in size. Current population is 1,485 members, with 1,196 residing on-reserve. The traditional language is Dene.
CanAlaska Uranium (CVV - TSX.V, CVVUF - OTCBB, DH7 - Frankfurt) is undertaking uranium exploration in eighteen 100%-owned and two optioned uranium projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin. Since September 2004, the Company has aggressively acquired one of the largest land positions in the region, comprising over 2,313,000 acres (9,360 square km). In 2005/2006, CanAlaska expended over Cdn $12 million exploring its properties in the Athabasca Basin and has delineated multiple uranium targets. Initial drilling from the West McArthur project (now under option to Mitsubishi Development Pty. Ltd.) revealed uranium mineralization and significant zones of hydrothermal alteration, indicative of a favourable environment for uranium deposition. Active drilling and exploration will continue in winter 2007 at West McArthur and at four other significant projects.
For more information, visit www.canalaska.com.
Diamonds are good for Canada’s Aboriginal communities
De Beers contributes to sustainable communities and economies wherever we operate and we are proud of the relationships we have developed in the countries where we produce diamonds. We believe that meaningful consultation is required to develop mutual trust and long-term cooperative relationships with communities. We prioritize communication and consultation with communities throughout the life-cycle of our diamond projects.
De Beers has signed a range of agreements with Aboriginal communities across Canada, including Nishnawbe Aski Nation communities, which cover early and advanced exploration, mine construction and production. These agreements set out the work to be undertaken, our environmental and cultural commitments as well as how communities can participate in, and benefit from, our projects.
De Beers is fully committed to the highest environmental standards, and to this end, we have received ISO 140001 certification for the environmental management systems at all of our projects and operations in Canada. Our Snap Lake and Victor projects have undergone very thorough environmental assessment processes which included extensive community consultation. The input we received during the consultation with local Aboriginal communities, particularly in the area of Traditional Ecological Knowledge, has resulted in improvements in our mine designs.
Our contribution to communities goes beyond that which is set out in agreements. In Canada over the last three years De Beers has contributed over $2 million in social investment with a focus on Aboriginal literacy, education and training; all of this before we have started production in Canada.
Over the last four years we have spent over $300 000 to provide 19,000 new books to school children in remote Aboriginal communities. In addition, we are investing $500,000 over five years in the Lt. Governor's Aboriginal Literacy Summer Camps in Northern Ontario.
We have built an $800,000 training centre in Attawapiskat in Northern Ontario which is being used to ensure that the people of this community are well prepared for the employment opportunities offered by the Victor Mine. In the Northwest Territories we provided $500,000 for the initial development of the Kimberlite Career and Technical Centre in Yellowknife and we have partnered with our contractors at the Snap Lake project to provide a further $750,000 for the expansion of this successful training centre.
"We see local Aboriginal communities as vital partners in any mining project we develop. To this end, we are committed to working with communities to maximize opportunities for local employment and the development of local Aboriginal businesses as suppliers and contractors to our mining projects," said Jim Gowans, President and CEO of De Beers Canada Inc.
From exploration through production, the diamond industry is bringing employment and economic growth, training and education, and business opportunities for remote Aboriginal communities in Canada. De Beers will continue to live up to the highest ethical and business principles in its dealings with Aboriginal peoples and all levels of government in Canada.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, June 2006: The Victor diamond project is great news for the people of Attawapiskat and the surrounding region. De Beers' investment here means more than just new jobs. It will provide opportunities for families, local businesses and First Nation communities.
By Shirley Collingridge
More than half the world’s production of uranium comes from mines in Canada and Australia. At 28%, Canada produces the largest share. In fact, Canada produced a whopping 11628 tonnes of uranium in 2005. Yet the average Canadian knows little about uranium.
What is uranium?
One of the more common natural elements in the earth’s crust, uranium is a metal capable of generating enormous amounts of energy. Large deposits have been found everywhere on earth except Antarctica. In a nuclear reactor, uranium’s heat is harnessed to generate energy without producing greenhouse gases. Uranium is virtually everywhere. Even your backyard is apt to contain a half pound of the stuff. Scientists believe heat from the element’s radioactive decay keeps the earth’s core in its molten state. Uranium is the heaviest of all naturally occurring elements.
Is uranium dangerous?
Uranium is radioactive, making it dangerous to living organisms exposed to high doses. However, science has harnessed the use of this radioactivity. Today, the element helps to generate electricity. A seven-gram pellet of uranium contains as much energy as 3.5 barrels of oil, 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas, or 1,780 pounds of coal. Uranium is also used in food safety, space exploration, and radiation to treat cancer patients. Annual radiation exposure from a nuclear power plant is less than a passenger receives on a single long flight in a jet airliner. Contrary to popular misconception, commercial nuclear power plants don’t explode. That is because their fuel is enriched only to a maximum of 4% Uranium 235 – insufficient to cause a nuclear explosion.
What about Saskatchewan uranium?
Near Saskatchewan’s Athabasca Basin lie the world’s richest uranium deposits. All of Canada’s high-grade mines are located in this area. Grades, or the uranium concentration of these deposits, are as much as 100 times the grade of the world average. COGEMA Resources Inc (30%) and Cameco Corporation’s (70%) McArthur River Mine has the highest-grade ore worldwide, averaging 25%. McArthur River also has enormous reserves and, in 2005, produced more than 17% of the world’s uranium. Higher grades and larger reserves make mining the ore more economically viable. Because these deposits are located so deep in the earth, new methods had to be developed to mine them.
Canadian exploration is concentrated in northern Saskatchewan, but there are also prospects in Labrador and the Northwest Territories.
Saskatchewan’s uranium is mined to produce uranium oxide (U308) or yellowcake, which is further processed for nuclear reactor fuel to produce electricity. About 16% of the world’s electricity is generated by nuclear power plants, compared to 39% coal and 19% hydro. About 15% of Canada’s electricity comes from nuclear power, with 18 reactors providing 12,500 megawatts of power.
How do they get uranium safely out of the ground?
Advanced technology has made available the richest deposits, deep underground. Because their grade is so high, extreme measures are in place to protect workers and the environment. In 2005, 30% of uranium was mined from open pits. Thirty-eight per cent came from underground mines, 21% from in situ leaching (ISL) and 11% as by-products.
Ground freezing and high-pressure water jets can now be used to excavate ore.
While heavily regulated and monitored, these new methods can still experience problems. At Cigar Lake’s 450 meter deep underground mine, major flooding in October set the project back at least a year.
What about waste products?
The mandate of Canada's Nuclear Waste Management Organisation (NWMO) is to explore options for storage and disposal, make proposals to the government, and implement what is decided.
Reactor Site Extended Storage at seven sites has been found feasible, requiring only some further dry storage facilities to be built. Centralised Extended Storage is similar to longer-term systems already operating in 12 countries. This would involve dry storage, with two options on the surface and two below ground level.
A third possibility is a deep geological repository which would allow later retrieval. That option involves burying nuclear waste 500 to 1000 metres deep in the stable rock of the Canadian Shield. Containers would be packed in bentonite clay and stored below the table water.
Recommendations in 2005 suggested that the country's spent fuel be placed in a deep geological repository, retrievably, but not until there has been a further 18 years of public discussion to identify a site.
The utilities and AECL remain responsible for low and intermediate-level wastes. These are stored above ground; a longer-term facility for Ontario is being considered for about 2015.
In 2006, the Canadian government announced a 5-year, C$520 million program to clean up legacy wastes from research and development of nuclear power, medical isotopes and early military activities to the 1950s.
What about military use?
Today, Canada's uranium is sold only for electrical power generation. Other equipment and services are also only for peaceful uses. Canada is party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a non-nuclear weapons state.