Diamond Find Prompts Review of Reserve Boundaries

Diamond Find Prompts Review of Reserve Boundaries

Friday, July 04, 2003 at 15:00

The discovery of an 11-carat diamond near the James Smith First Nation has prompted more talk of establishing a mine there.

Both DeBeers and Shore Gold have expressed interest in building an operation on or near the First

Nation. However, leaders on the reserve say some questions still need to be answered first.

Chief Walter Constance notes the current testing site is situated about a mile-and-a-half off the reserve boundary. He says the band is currently re-measuring its borders to determine if it is actually on James Smith land.

Constance adds the close proximity of the Saskatchewan River to the reserve is also a drawing card for the companies as diamond mines use a lot of water.

He plans to talk more with the interested parties later this month in Edmonton.