ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of indigenous people and diamond mining in contemporary Russia. Although there can be some fairly consistent and predictable environmental and social effects from extractive industries the world over, indigenous responses vary widely, depending on specific histories and level of rights exercised by different groups. Soviet diamond-mining activities disregarded environmental laws and regulations, resulting in watershed-wide chemical contamination, nuclear contamination and related human health and social effects. There are three main sources of chemical contamination: phenols, thallium, used in the final stage of processing, and highly mineralised brine water. Despite Almazy Rossii-Sakha Company impressive portfolio of activities and investments, in many ways the company, the Sakha Diamond Province Investment Company Foundation, the Target Fund and the government are 'missing the target'. Real rehabilitation will proceed only when the environmental damages of the Soviet and post-Soviet periods are not only recognised but accounted for and ameliorated.
