Natural+Resources+-+The+North

Back to the North
=Natural Resources in the North: Diamonds=

Con - Diamonds media type="file" key="Diamond.mp3" width="240" height="20" Pro - Diamonds media type="custom" key="21610884" By: Christina, Jeff, Ben, Vincent, Max, Angela, Sierra, Alyssa, and Lori

The North is home to many different resources. From zinc, to copper, to oil, to gold, the North has an abundance of minerals that we humans need. Among them include diamonds, a girl's best friend. They are mined and refined, where they are then used for jewelry and industrial tools. One such location to mine diamonds is the Ekati diamond mine.

__** How are diamonds extracted and used? **__ Diamonds can be extracted through mining and drilling, and are often used to make jewellery. There are a few ways to mine diamonds, such as open pit mining, underground mining, and pipe mining.

**SOURCE**:: @http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/ekati/ekati9.html __** What are the benefits/risks of developing the resource? **__
 * **Benefits ** || **Risks ** ||
 * Canadian diamonds are conflict free and to be harvested responsibly and legitimate matter. || Habitat loss ||
 * Strict policy on ethical operations and environmental preservation || Diamond dust causes chronic lung diseases ||
 * Canada Mining Regulations enforces preservation of land and aquatic habitats || 23.5 deaths in 100 000 workers ||
 * Canadian diamonds are high quality and can be sold for a higher market price || Oftentimes mined diamonds are not of gem quality ||
 * || Risk of equipment failure ||
 * || Injuries to miners while mining ||

__** Who are the different groups of stakeholders in the local area of the Ekati Diamond Mine? **__BHP Billtiton Diamonds is one of the main stakeholders of the Ekati Diamond Mine, which has 800 full-time employees and 700 additional contractors working in the area.

__** What branch of government is overseeing this development? Who's the MLA/MP in the area? **__ Dennis Bevington represents the only electrical district. Natural Resources Canada oversees the development.

**SOURCE**: http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/ekati/ __** Which company or government agency is developing the resource? **__

According to CBC (November 13, 2012), the Ekati Diamond Mine will be bought by Harry Winston Diamonds Company (which owns 40% of the Diavik Diamond Mine). The Ekati Diamond Mine is responsible for producing approximately 3% of the world's diamonds each year.
 * BHP Billiton owns 80%
 * Charles E. Fipke owns 10%
 * Stewart Blusson own 10%

__** What is the history of the use of the resource? **__ Over 4000 years ago, the first diamonds were mined in India, along the rivers Krishna, Penner and Godavari. Into late 1980, two British Columbian men, Chuck Fipke and Stewart Blussom, went out to a lake in Yellow Knife. According to the legend, Chuck Fipke found several tiny diamonds after chipping away at ice and rock, and thus sparked the development of diamond mines. In the late 19th century, modern diamond mining as we know it began in South Africa. However, the diamonds usage for engraving tool dates back to human history.

**SOURCE**:[] __** What are the arguments for and against the project? **__ AGAINST: Because of the high demand of diamonds, it may lead to conflicts in Africa, where child labor has been used in order to extract this natural resource. At this point in time, Africa is the most popular diamond mining site, producing two thirds of the worlds currents diamonds. In addition, the pursuit of diamonds had caused political instability in places such as Angola and Sierra Leone in the past, where funds raised throughout the illegal trading of this gem ended up being used to buy weapons for waring parties. "Conflict diamonds" are diamonds that finance violent rebel movements against recognized national governments, mined in war zones to supply a warlord with cash to fund the rebels, and may also be referred to as blood diamonds. FOR: It provides many jobs, and allows for the economy to rise.

__** What are the alternatives to the resource? **__ Diamonds may be produced in laboratories, and are called imitation CZ, or "synthetic moissanite", but many people argue that these diamonds are not pure, as the beauty of diamonds comes from the natural find of them. As diamonds are often used in engagement rings, alternates to the gems of a diamond ring include red (which symbolizes passion and a zest for life), and green, which symbolizes faithfulness and continuity.

**SOURCE**: http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/ekati/ekati7.html