Overview -

Keywords   Canada   diamond   open pit

The Diavik diamond mine is located about 300 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territory, Canada, and 30 km from the Ekati Mine. The mine consists of 4 kimberlite pipes beneath Lac de Gras. Dikes had to be built around the diamondiferous pipes to drain the water above them.

The open pit mine was commissioned in 2003 and reached full production in 2004. Underground production will begin in 2009, and will grow to replace open pit mining by 2012. The expected mine life is 16 to 22 years. Diavik is the most profitable mine in Canada.

The property consists of a total of 267,917 hectares (661,755 acres) of prospective lands surrounding the mine site which comprises five mining leases with a total area of 2,470.5 ha.

Ownership Summary  Name: Rio Tinto    Interest: 60%    Note: public  Name: Harry Winston Diamond Corporation    Interest: 40%    Note: public Reference: 14 Mar 2008

Total employment is 700. Employees work two week rotation on a fly in / fly out basis.

Diavik is an unincorporated joint venture between Rio Tinto (60%) and Harry Winston (40%).