Yellowknife, NWT (May 24, 2005) -- The Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Member of Parliament for Western Arctic and Minister of State (Northern Development), on behalf of the Honourable Andy Scott, Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development, has announced that the Dogrib Nation Trust Co. Inc. of Rae-Edzo has been awarded a three-year contract valued at approximately $15 million. This contract is for care and maintenance at Colomac Mine and will ensure the site remains in compliance with all health, safety and environmental requirements while remediation activities are being completed. "I am very pleased that a local Aboriginal company will have a strong role in such a significant project for the NWT that will provide many benefits to the Tlicho people and northerners," said Minister Scott. "While the federal government continues to accelerate its efforts to cleanup contaminated sites, the success of Aboriginal firms participating in this process is helping create jobs for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and further strengthening the local economy." "This is the first contract awarded in the territory of the Tlicho people since the Tlicho Act was passed earlier this year," said Minister Blondin-Andrew, "and this work will provide the Tlicho people and other northerners with opportunities to gain direct work experience on contaminated sites projects that can lead to other employment possibilities for similar activities." The contract for care and maintenance activities at the site consists of operating and maintaining the fully functional Crown-supplied camp facilities including equipment, operating and maintaining generators and pumps, facilitating enhanced site drainage conditions during spring melt, maintenance of all site roads and the aerodrome, and ensuring the site is maintained in a safe and environmentally compliant manner. The Dogrib Nation Trust Co. Inc. will also provide support to other contractors onsite to complete the major remediation activities during the three-year period. The Dogrib Nation Trust Co. Inc. is 100% owned by the Dogrib Treaty 11 Council. One of the principal subcontractors, Tli Cho Logistics Inc., will be responsible for the general care and maintenance requirements at the Colomac site. They have significant experience in site services and have already provided care and maintenance support to the Colomac Mine for the past four years through a previous contribution agreement with DIAND. This contract will create or maintain approximately forty full-time equivalent positions, of which, approximately 50% of those positions will be held by Aboriginals in the North over the three-year contract period. This contract was publicly advertised under the Procurement Set-Aside for Aboriginal Business (PSAB) Program. The PSAB aims to increase the number of Aboriginal firms participating in the federal procurement process and make it easier for the federal government and Aboriginal firms to do business with each other. Competitions set-aside for Aboriginal businesses also promote subcontracting to Aboriginal firms and encourage joint venture opportunities. Colomac Mine was a gold mine in operation from 1989 to 1997, located 222 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife. This mine reverted back to the federal Crown in 1999, when the mine owner at the time, Royal Oak Mines Inc., went into receivership. One of the main concerns at the site is the tailings water. It is water contaminated with cyanide that occurred during the processing of the gold ore. A Remediation Plan for the site has been approved and it is anticipated the site will be cleaned-up by 2010. Care and maintenance activities at Colomac Mine will ensure the protection of health, public safety and the environment. - 30 - For more information please contact: Jennifer Hough Communications Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, NWT 867-669-2580 houghj@inac.gc.ca
