Microwave towers planned for internet, phone upgrade at Gahcho Kue diamond mine

Northwestel plans to build two microwave towers allowing for upgraded phone and internet service at De Beers' remote Gahcho Kue diamond mine in the N.W.T., improving on the site's current satellite connection. 

The telecommunications company has applied for the land use permit to erect one tower plus a fuel storage facility at Anarin Lake, about 40 kilometres from the newly-opened mine, where about 500 people work. 

Construction of the tower is expected to start next summer, with all materials being hauled by helicopter. The overall site footprint is expected to be one hectare.

A second tower will later be installed at the mine site, according to plans Northwestel has filed with regulators.

Construction on the Anarin Lake tower is expected to take four months next summer. Northwestel's application says it plans to operate the tower for about 15 years, and then remove it.

In 2008, Northwestel completed the installation of a series of microwave towers to the N.W.T.'s three other operating diamond mines at the time: Ekati, Diavik and Snap Lake, which is also owned by De Beers.

The tower at Anarin Lake will be an expansion of the existing microwave system to Snap Lake. De Beers requested the extension.

The application says De Beers did not ask for cellphone service but Northwestel plans to build in the option anyway, in case it's needed later.

"There won't be cellphone service," said Tom Ormsby, a De Beers Canada spokesperson, on Friday.

More info about plans needed, says board 

The Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board is seeking more information from Northwestel before it considers the application, such as a spill contingency plan and a plan outlining how the company expects to engage with groups affected by the development.

Members of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation and North Slave Métis Alliance have been prominent users of the land and resources along the seasonal Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road to the diamond mines, "possibly including" Anarin Lake, the company wrote in its permit application.  

"Tlicho hunters from Behchoko, Wekweeti, Gameti and Whati, and the Lutsel K'e Dene, have also trapped and hunted in some parts of this general area in the past and maintain an ongoing interest in the region."

The nearest community to the Gahcho Kue mine is Lutselk'e, which is 140 kilometres away by air.

The internet and phone service Northwestel provides there is via satellite.