EDITORIAL PAGE — WWF, diamonds and the North

It was only a matter of time before groups such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) came to realize the scope and pace of diamond-related exploration and development taking place in Canada’s North.

And as might be expected, it was only a matter of time before one or more groups began calling for a halt to diamond exploration and mine development, owing to “concerns about the environmental consequences” of such activity. In the case of WWF, the organization began firing off letters to government officials, citing a litany of concerns bound to strike fear in the hearts of the populace, particularly those prone to romanticizing nature from the safety and comfort of urban centres.

These concerns are somewhat vague and more than a little off the mark. An image is being conveyed, however subtly, that the industry is made up of environmental boors riding roughshod over nature, blasting away at any animals unfortunate enough to get in their way, and digging up huge holes from one end of the Arctic to another just to get a few diamonds to sell to some mysterious foreign cartel.

An impression is being conveyed that work programs are being carried out without any regulation in the exploration phase and without any ground rules for mine development. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The Northwest Territories are not some Wild West backwater. Environmental regulations are as comprehensive there as in most other Canadian jurisdictions. Should exploration be successful, the opportunity of diamond mining would present itself to the Territorial residents, who will judge any new development on the basis of protection of the environment and benefits to the North.

Before any mine is approved, companies will have to address a variety of concerns, including environmental protection, infrastructure, health hazards, mine safety, protection of wildlife and the nature of employment opportunities to be made available to northerners, including native groups. Work on these fronts is already under way on the more advanced projects, where efforts have been made to involve native leaders from the North Slave region.

The WWF may have a tougher time forming an alliance with either the Inuit or the Dene peoples, many of whom remember the damage done by southern-based environmentalists to the fur-harvesting industry.

The WWF has also expressed concern about the impact on wildlife, such as caribou and grizzly bears. The implication that mining companies have little or no regard for wildlife is likely what prompted Dia Met Chairman Charles Fipke to make a rare public statement at the company’s annual meeting. “The reason most geologists go prospecting is because they love wildlife and the outdoors,” Fipke shot back, adding that, with the exception of one wolverine killed by accident, no animals have been harmed by activity on the company’s claims.

The concerns raised by the WWF are ones that will be addressed as part of the permitting process for any new mine in the North. The organization cannot be faulted for bringing a higher public profile to these issues. But a call for a halt to exploration and mine development is plainly irresponsible, and does not take into account the enormous strides made by the mining industry to become environmentally and socially progressive.