ABSTRACT
The environmental regulatory permitting process for the Ekati Diamond Mine included an environmental assessment process which set the parameters for obtaining operating permits. The permits included a water licence, fisheries authorization, navigable water authorization and land leases. In addition to the normal regulatory requirements, an environmental agreement was negotiated with the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories to address environmental concerns not covered by existing legislation and regulation. A socio-economic agreement was concluded with the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) to maximize benefits to the north. Impact benefits agreements (IBAs) were also negotiated with four aboriginal groups who use the area where the mine is located. The intention of the IBAs is to help insure that benefits from the project flowed to the aboriginal groups despite a lack of settled land claims in the region.
