It takes two to Tango: DeBeers seeks Attawapiskat consent for new diamond mine

DeBeers Canada says it won't even look at expanding its diamond miningoperationsnear Attawapiskat without the blessing of the community.

After nearly a decade in production,the companyis running out of diamonds at its Victor Mine in the James Bay lowlands.

DeBeers Canada sees some potential in a nearby deposit called Tango, with some estimates saying it could extend the life of the Attawapiskat operation by several more years.

But before it does further exploration, chief executive KimTruterwants the consent of the people ofAttawapiskat, even though it's only legally required to consult them.

"We are really trying to partner in a different way with the community, so they genuinely feel involved in the planning and the thinking and the decision making," says Truter.

"It's pointless us actually operating in these first nations areas if we don't have local support."

Support has been shaky in the first nation since the signing of the original agreement with DeBeers in 2005. Band officials boycotted and picketedthe grand opening of the mine in 2008 and the road into the mine has been blockaded several times, including in 2013.

Recently electedAttawapiskat chief Ignace Gull says many in the community feel shortchanged by the original deal and want things to be different this time.

"They want a fair deal on this Tango. We made a lot of mistakes in the past," says Gull.

He says concerns in the community range from the environmentalimpact on the Attawapiskat River to how big a cut of the profits the first nation received.

A survey of band members is currently being conducted by the private firm Attawapiskat Enterprises, but Gull says a more fulsomediscussionwill be needed, perhaps a referendum, like the one held back in 2005 on the original DeBeers deal.

DeBeers is hoping that a decision from the community is just weeks away,but Chief Gull says it will likely take longer.

If there is no deal on Tango, or the exploration doesn't turn up good results, the era of diamond mining on the James Bay Coast will likely fade into history after 2018.