Former Mining Minister to Advise New Ekati Owners

RAPAPORT… Arctic Canadian Diamond Company has appointed former Northwest Territories (NWT) mining minister Wally Schumann as its senior adviser on aboriginal and northern affairs.

“[Schumann] joins the company at a very exciting time, as we embark on the next stage of our journey with Ekati, and renew…relationships with our employees, stakeholder communities in the north, the government of the Northwest Territories, suppliers and customers,” Arctic interim president Rory Moore said last week.

Schumann, who ended his term as minister of industry, tourism and investment for Canada’s NWT at the end of 2019, worked to improve the situation of the country’s indigenous community during his time in office. Together with the Diamond Empowerment Fund (now Diamonds Do Good) and the Mine Training Society, he helped establish the first educational grants for northern youth, enabling them to gain the skills needed to succeed in mining.

“My appointment strengthens Arctic’s commitments to the northern communities, and helps deliver positive economic results for all parties involved,” Schumann noted.

Arctic Canadian took over the Ekati mine in December, following previous owner Dominion Diamond Mines’ insolvency. Arctic restarted mining operations at the site in January.

Image: Wally Schumann. (The Government of the Northwest Territories)