Overview -

Keywords   Canada   diamond   open pit   underground

The Ekati property covers 344,000 hectares, with the land lease area being 10,960 hectares and is located in Northwest Territories, Canada.

Ekati Diamond Mine opened in 1998 and produces nearly four per cent of current world diamond production by weight and six per cent by value. It is Canada's first surface and underground diamond mine.

Diamonds are sent from the mine to Yellowknife for cleaning and preparation for valuation before being exported from Canada. Approximately 80 percent of total production is of gem quality. Diamonds are found in kimberlite pipe deposits thought to be Mesozoic or Cenozoic in age.

Ekati produces nearly 4% of current world diamond production ...

The mine is located approximately 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife and 200 kilometres

Ownership Summary  Name: BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc.    Interest: 80%    Note: public company  Name: Charles Fipke    Interest: 10%    Note: private company  Name: Dr. Stewart Blusson    Interest: 10%    Note: private company Reference: 30 Jun 2005

south of the Arctic Circle in the Lac de Gras area of the MacKenzie Mining District in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The mine site can be reached by means of a 400 km ice road during the winter or by air.

The mine operator is BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc.

It is a joint venture between BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. (80%) and the explorers that discovered the diamond pipes: geologists Charles Fipke and Dr. Stewart Blusson.