Development in the Coppermine River basin and Cumulative Effects Monitoring
Principal Investigator: Whitney, Candace (1)
Licence Number: 13136
Organization: University of Waterloo
Licensed Year(s): 2000
Issued: Jun 15, 2000
Project Team: self

Objective(s): The Coppermine River basin has significant mineral resources including diamonds as well as base and precious metals. In the early 1990s, the Slave Geological Province experienced a dramatic increase in mining activity when diamonds were discovered in th

Project Description: The Coppermine River basin has significant mineral resources including diamonds as well as base and precious metals. In the early 1990s, the Slave Geological Province experienced a dramatic increase in mining activity when diamonds were discovered in the middle of the West Kitikmeot/Slave area at Lac de Gras. Northern ecological systems are particularly at risk to impacts of mining and other land use development activities. The purpose of this study is to identify the positions and concerns of various interest groups about fundamental issues pertaining to development in the Coppermine River basin and the design of a program for monitoring cumulative environmental effects. Face-to-face interviews will be conducted with representatives from the following sectors: 1) government; 2) non-governmental agencies (NGOs); 3) private (including Aboriginal); and 4) industry. The approximate sample size is twenty participants, with a minimum of five individuals represented in each sector. Interviews will take place in Yellowknife. If individuals are unavailable during the time the researcher is in Yellowknife, interviews will be conducted by telephone or email upon return to Toronto. In order to ensure data accuracy, participants will be asked for their permission to audiotape interviews. The researcher will travel by air to Yellowknife and will walk to interview locations.