Diamonds are an Eskimo's Best Friend
Posted by Mike Kremer on Feb 09, 2004 at 20:55
(62.188.48.74)
Looks like the Inuits of Nunavut are sitting on one of the most valuable real estate in the world.
No its not oil, its diamonds, they are so plentiful they are sometimes found in the stomachs of Cariboo.
Its only recently that the Inuits, and now the rest of the world realised this. Now the region is in the grip of diamond fever, reminiscent of the 19th century Californian gold rush.
Fortunately the Inuits will not be rushed.....all the diamond prospectors that hurry there, find that they have to wait in line, outside a small office, in temperatures of -15 to -30C, on a first come first served basis. And that includes the worlds largest mining companys, Debeers and BHP Billiton.
Where ever possible people are taking turns in the queue, so as not to risk hypothermia.
Up until last week the Nunavut Eskimo goverment had issued just 1,518 prospecting permits covering 64 million acres of frozen ground. The real rush will come this summer when the mechanical diggers and trucks arrive.
Lets hope the diamond rush will benefit the Inuit, somehow I doubt this, I expect they will be forced to move, along with all the animals. Changing their lives forever.
Frozen Diamonds
More
Re: Diamonds are an Eskimo's Best Friend Mike Kremer 10/2 00:17
(3)