N.W.T. government signs off on Ekati mine Jay pipe expansion

The Northwest Territoriesgovernment has signed off on theEkati mine'sJay Pipe expansion,a new open pitthat could help keep Ekati producing diamonds until 2033.

Lands minister Robert C. McLeodwrote to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review board Thursday saying the government acceptsthe board's recommendations.

In February, the board recommended approvingthe project with conditions to minimize its impact on the environment.

The board's required 22 measures include:

• improving the design and use of the roads to minimize impacts to caribou
• minimizing dust from road use
• funding an elders group to advise on the construction, operation and monitoring of the Jay road
• offsetting remaining impacts to caribou from the Jay Project by implementing mitigation, such as modifying traffic patterns and road closures,at other areas of the Ekati mine site
• ensuring clean surface waters at the Jay and Misery pits so the area can be used for aboriginal traditional uses after the Jay Project closes
• preventing impacts to the Narrows

Now that the project's environmental review has been approved,Ekati's owner Dominion DiamondCorporation can apply for the permits to begin construction.

Dominion Diamond hopes to start mining the Jay pit in 2021.