Future of Nunavut-based Jericho Diamond Mine Still Uncertain

Nunatsiaq Online reported that though the Nunavut-based Jericho diamond mine remains in legal limbo, the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB) continues to request that Shear Diamonds Corp., its legal owner, “monitor and remedy any ongoing contamination.”

As quoted in the market news:

In a Nov. 12 letter to Manuel Rappaport, identified as the director of Shear Diamonds (Nunavut) Corp., the NIRB references its most recent ‘2013-1014 Annual Monitoring Report for the Jericho Project.’

That report describes a June 2014 site visit in which it appeared, ‘Shear had not been conducting monitoring activities as required by the Jericho Project Certificate.’

Staff with NIRB who visited the site said there was processed kimberlite — the mineral formations which contain diamonds — outside the kimberlite containment area and that fuels and hazardous wastes on site had standing water within the bermed areas.

Though Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC) staff seem to have taken some measures to clean up the site, the group is not taking full responsibility for the mine. The news outlet states:

‘The Government of Canada will only step in to manage a site when a project owner fails to meet its legal responsibilities to do so. That being said, AANDC has not taken over management of the Jericho Diamond Mine Project,’ AANDC wrote to the NIRB about a year ago.

‘Shear Diamonds continues to be responsible for maintaining compliance with the terms and conditions of all authorizations and permits issued for the project.’

It remains unclear what will happen at the mine site. Click here to read the full Nunatsiaq Online report.