The Gahcho Kué Mine officially opened on 20 September 2016 and is currently ramping up to full production, which is expected in Q1 2017. It is the largest new diamond mine under final construction and commissioning in the world, and is expected to mine 54 million carats from 35 million tonnes of scheduled material over the mine's life. Gahcho Kué is also forecast to have a C$6.7 billion boost to the Canadian economy, including a CA5.3 billion dollar economic impact on the Northwest Territories.
Kim Truter, Chief Executive Officer of De Beers Canada, said that as a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned, community-based business, Bouwa Whee Catering was an ideal partner to reach out to for the new contract. “We want to continue to strengthen our partnerships with those communities that have Impact Benefit Agreements (IBA) with our business, so by selecting a local community company that has invested for the long-term will provide that business and the community better long-term planning and sustainability,” said Truter. “We have also engaged with our other IBA partners to identify similar ‘Evergreen Contract’ opportunities, which will be put in place in the coming months and years for qualified local businesses.”
An ‘Evergreen Contract’ will remain in place for the life of the operation, provided the contract partner continues to deliver the services as required in the contract.
Det’on Cho Corporation CEO Paul Gruner said that the new ‘Evergreen Contract’ will allow business to look far ahead when it comes to employment opportunities, revenues and other benefits for the community. “Mutually beneficial business partnerships have been the foundation of our success. Det’on Cho Corporation and Bouwa Whee look forward to continuing our mutually beneficial relationship with De Beers,” said Gruner.
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