DIAMONDS: Water board approves Gahcho Ku land use permit

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES – The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board has approved a pioneer land use permit for the Gahcho Kué diamond project belonging to Mountain Province Diamonds (49%) and De Beers Canada (51%), both headquartered in Toronto. The permit allows the partners to begin site works in preparation for deliveries planned for the 2014 winter road season. The latest permit conforms to the water use and waste disposal terms of the existing Type B water licence for the project.

The Gahcho Kué mine 280 km northeast of Yellowknife has an estimated life of 11 years. It will provide 400 permanent jobs plus 700 construction jobs. An estimated 49 million ct of diamonds will be mined.

De Beers is updating the 2010 feasibility study, and the results are due early in 2014. Additional information is available at MountainProvince.com.