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Diavik Diamonds Project Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement  | | Category: | Agreement | | | Date: | 2 October 1999 | | | Sub Category: | Socio-Economic Agreement (Canada) | | Location: | Northwest Territories, Canada | | | Subject Matter: | Collaboration / Partnership | Cultural Heritage | Economic Development | Employment and Training | Mining and Minerals | Recognition of Traditional Rights and Interests | | Summary Information: | | | The Diavik Diamonds Project Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement affirms Diavik Diamond Mine Inc.’s (DDMI) dedication to enhancing community cooperation and relations with Northern residents, with particular concern for Neighbouring Aboriginal Communities. The Agreement affirms DDMI’s commitment to provide training, employment and business opportunities to local residents, and creates a new Communities Advisory Board representing the Neighbouring Aboriginal Communities, the Government of Northwest Territories and DDMI. Meeting on a regular basis, this committee will help DDMI to achieve its socio-economic commitments in surrounding communities. | | Detailed Information: | | The parties to the Diavik Diamonds Project Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement include the Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., the Government of the Northwest Territories, represented by the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development, the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, the Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation, the North Slave Métis Alliance and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
The Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement together with the Environmental Agreement meet two important criteria set out in the Comprehensive Study Report (CSR) for the Diavik Diamonds Project. The CSR was issued in June 1999 by the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND) who undertook, together with the Departments of Fisheries and Oceans and Natural Resources Canada, a 15 month Comprehensive Study of the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the Diavik Project under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.
Input into the Comprehensive Study was received from various levels of government, Aboriginal groups, Northern communities, non-governmental organisations and the general public in Public Involvement and Technical Review Processes conducted under DIAND stewardship.
The Diavik Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement affirms DDMI’s commitment to providing benefits to North Canada through training, employment and business opportunities. These commitments extend to all Northern residents including Aboriginal Northerners and in particular the neighbouring Aboriginal communities.
Employment
DDMI expects that 66 percent of its mining operations workforce and 40 percent of its construction workforce will be filled by Northerners. It is also expected that 40 percent of the operations workforce will be Northern Aboriginal. Direct annual wages to all employees during the 20-year mine life will approximate (CAN) $30 million per year.
Training
DDMI is committed to training Northerners throughout the life of the mine. In developing its training programs, DDMI will focus on providing pre-employment training opportunities; enabling Northerners to gain access to jobs; facilitating employment advancement for Northerners; enabling Northerners to fill apprenticeship, technical, technological, supervisory, managerial, and professional occupations; and requiring all long-term contractors to the project to adhere to the goal of maximising Northern employment.
DDMI will collaborate with Aboriginal people to encourage development and delivery of training programs. The company will also consult with the Communities Advisory Board in the ongoing review and development of training programs.
The Government of Northwest Territories is also committed to enhancing training opportunities through supporting a number of initiatives including the provision of training allowances and support services, career counselling, and training program delivery.
Business Opportunities
In considering contract bids, DDMI will prioritise Aboriginal and Northern Business, and will take a number of measures to maximise project related business opportunities. These measures include: preparing an annual business opportunities forecast to identify foreseeable procurement requirements; providing technical support and assistance in accessing sources of commercial capital; working closely with Northern communities to co-operatively achieve success in creating long-term business and employment opportunities and in increasing business capacity; identifying project components at all stages of development and operations that should be targets for a Northern business development strategy; facilitating subcontracting opportunities for Northern businesses; and identifying possible opportunities for joint ventures by Northern businesses, and particularly by Aboriginal businesses.
In addition, DDMI will attempt to purchase 38 percent of its total goods and services from Northern businesses during the construction phase, and 70 percent during operations. | |
Related Entries | | Agreement | | Diavik Diamonds Project Environmental Agreement | | Dogrib Treaty 11 Council Participation Agreement with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. | | Yellowknives Kwe K'a Ndi Participation Agreement with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. | | Lutsel K'e Dene Band Participation Agreement with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. | | Kitikmeot Inuit Association Participation Agreement with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. | | North Slave Metis Alliance Participation Agreement with Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. | | Organisation | | Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. - Signatory | | Aber Diamond Mines Ltd. | | Government of the Northwest Territories - Signatory | | Dogrib Treaty 11 Council - Signatory | | Yellowknives Dene First Nation - Signatory | | Lutsel K'e Dene Band - Signatory | | Kitikmeot Inuit Association - Signatory | | North Slave Metis Alliance - Signatory | | Diavik Project Communities Group Advisory Board - Requirement | | Environmental Monitoring Advisory Board for the Diavik Diamond Mine | | Event | | Diavik Diamonds Project - Requirement | | Legislation | | Canadian Environmental Assessment Act 1992, c 37 |
References | | Resource | | Diavik Diamond Mines Inc (1999) Diavik Diamonds Project Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement | | Publication | | Palmer, L, Tehan, M, (2006) ‘Anchored to the land’: Asserting and Recognising Aboriginal Jurisdiction in the Northwest Territories', in Langton, Mazel, Palmer, Shain, Tehan (eds), Settling with Indigenous People: Modern treaty and agreement-making, The Federation Press, Annandale. |
Glossary | | Socio-Economic Agreement (Canada) |
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