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Snap Lake Diamond Project Socio-Economic Agreement 2004
Sub Category:	Socio-Economic Agreement (Canada)
Place:
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State/Country:	Northwest Territories, Canada
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Subject Matter:	Mining and Minerals \| Economic Development \| Employment and Training \| Recognition of Traditional Rights and Interests \| Environmental Heritage
URL:	http://www.gov.nt.ca/RWED/industrial_benefit/debeers_agreement.pdf
Summary Information:
The Snap Lake Diamond Project Socio-Economic Agreement (the Agreement) was signed by the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and De Beers Canada Mining Inc (DBCMI) on 21 May 2004. It was developed with the participation of the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council, Yellowknives Dene First Nation, Lutsel K'e Dene Band and the North Slave Metis Alliance. The Agreement was negotiated in fulfilment of the recommendations of the 'Report of Environmental Assessment' and 'Reasons for Decision on the De Beers Canada Mining Inc. Snap Lake Mining Project'. This was conducted by the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board under the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act. The Report required DBCMI and the GNWT to negotiate a socio-economic agreement in order to minimise potential negative impacts resulting from the development and operation of the Project. The Agreement recognises that persons impacted or likely to be impacted include 'Aboriginals, who have aboriginal, or other treaty rights that are being defined, recognized and protected in a variety of forums.' The purpose of the Agreement is therefore to meet the recommendations of the Report, (including employment, training and procurement targets), to monitor the obligations of the Parties, and to establish methods by which the parties can work together to identify and address the impacts of the Project. The parties are to be guided by the principles of cooperation, fairness, respect for the rights and responsibilities of each party, support for the goal of sustainable development, and adaptive management techniques which seek to achieve the goal of minimum adverse impact. The Snap Lake project is to reach full production in 2008.
Detailed Information:
The subject matters addressed by the Agreement include: Employment practices; Human resources development; Business development; Social and cultural well-being; The establishment of the De Beers socio-economic monitoring Agency; Monitoring; Remedies; The establishment of the De Beers Canada fund; Representation; Commencement, suspension and termination; Governing law and dispute resolution; and Amendment. Members of the Aboriginal Authorities and Aboriginal people residing in the Northwest Territories (NWT) are to be given priority in hiring arrangements. This applies to managerial, professional, technical and trades-related jobs. Employment targets for the hiring of NWT residents are also set out. Each Aboriginal Party is to support the DBCMI commitment to the maximisation of employment opportunities by consultation with DBCMI and the GNWT to develop plans for the delivery of employment support programs. DBCMI is to establish its human resources office in the NWT and ensure that its contractors achieve the goal of maximising the training of members of the Aboriginal Authorities and NWT residents. It is also to establish a recruitment and training strategy for school students that promotes the completion of secondary school. It is required to provide onsite literacy programs to its employees and to promote the equal participation of women in all aspects of the project. DBCMI is also to adopt business and procurement practices which maximise business and value-added opportunities for NWT businesses. The GNWT is to support these initiatives through regular consultation and collaboration with DBCMI as are Aboriginal parties to the Agreement. DBCMI is also required to promote a healthy and stable workplace and social well-being through the provision of alcohol and substance abuse programs, family violence and domestic abuse counsellors, and family counselling services. The GNWT will also lend its support to these projects. DBCMI is to work towards cultural preservation and sustainability by working with Aboriginal Authorities, Primary Communities and the GNWT to address cultural issues. Pursuant to Chapter 8 of the Agreement, the Parties agree to establish a socio-economic monitoring agency for the purposes of implementing the Agreement, monitoring the performance of commitments made by the Parties, providing a forum for the ongoing participation of the Parties, and making recommendations for achieving the purposes of the Agreement. The Monitoring provisions of the Agreement set out the requirements for the submission of annual reports by each of the Parties, addressing the performance of their commitments under the Agreement. The Agreement also makes provision for dispute resolution procedures, amendment in writing by all the parties, and withdrawal in writing from the Agreement by Aboriginal Parties. Provision is also made for negotiated changes to the Agreement should jurisdiction or regulatory authority be transferred or devolved as a result of constitutional change, treaty, self-government or land claim agreement.