Trending toward diamonds

Three geological "trends" in northern Alberta are being carefully searched by mining companies for signs of kimberlite, a volcanic rock that often contains diamonds. The Peace River, Wabasca River and Fort Mackay trends cover a large swath of land stretching from Grand Prairie to the Saskatchewan border east of Fort McMurray. The Alberta Geological Survey released data in mid-January from a site northwest of Red Earth Creek that has encouraged companies to step up their operations in the region north of Lesser Slave Lake. If there is kimberlite, and if that kimberlite contains a sufficient quantity of diamonds, and if the bedrock site bearing that kimberlite can be located and if the site can be economically operated, it may mean the start of a big payday for the residents of the area, more than 90 per cent of whom are Aboriginal. Potential beneficiaries are cautious, however. "We've got to make sure we're not buying a 6-49 ticket here," said Woodland Cree Chief John Cardinal. "We have to know a lot more before we invest any of our resources."