Tahera, Kitikmeot reach pact

Following a long series of negotiations, Tahera (TAH-T) and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association have reached an agreement-in-principle regarding local benefits from Tahera’s Jericho diamond project in Nunavut.

The impact-benefits agreement is the first for a diamond project in Nunavut; previous diamond projects that have gone into production have been in the Northwest Territories. It provides for preferential opportunities for local Inuit in employment, training and contracting, and provides compensation for land use and water rights.

Tahera expects to have all permits and financing in place for the project by year-end. A final hearing on the environmental impact statement is scheduled for January.

A positive feasibility study at mid-year proposed production at the rate of 3.1 million carats over a minimum 8-year mine life. The study used a reserve figure of 2.6 million tonnes grading 1.2 carats per tonne, with a value of US$81 per carat. The capital cost is estimated at $65 million.