The Diavik diamond mine in Canada touched a major milestone of producing 100 million carats of rough diamonds since the mine commenced in 2003, Rio Tinto –  the operator of the mine –  announced today. 

Canada’s largest diamond mine, Diavik, is known for the predominantly gem quality diamonds it produces which are set in high end jewellery destined for markets around the world.    

“We are delighted to reach this milestone and I am enormously proud of the teams who have helped make this happen safely and responsibly in some of the harshest operating conditions in the world,” said Rio Tinto Diamonds, Salt & Uranium Managing Director Simon Trott. 

Since the outset, Rio Tinto said,  local communities have been “widely consulted” about the operation and impact of the Diavik diamond mine.  “This engagement has led to the development of considerable employment, training and capacity building opportunities,” the Company stressed.

Diavik diamond mine’s President and Chief Operating Officer Marc Cameron commented: “Strong and respectful partnerships are at the heart of the way we work at Diavik and I would like to thank all of our investors, our community, business and government partners, and our workforce for their support over the past 13 years.” 

He added: “This production milestone is especially gratifying given our strong safety record, our focus on ethics and the environment, and an unwavering commitment to delivering substantial and lasting benefits to all of our stakeholders.” 

The mine has about  1100 employees, of which approximately half  live in Canada’s north; and one quarter of Diavik’s workforce is Aboriginal. “Since 2003, C$ 6.8 billion has been spent on goods and services to support the mine, of which over 70 per cent is with local firms many of which are Aboriginal-owned,” Rio Tinto noted. 

Production from Diavik’s  fourth pipe,   the A21  --  the development of which was approved in 2014 –   is slated  to commence in 2018, and is expected to be an important source of “incremental production”.   

“Development of the A21 pipe, which was part of the original mine plan, is estimated to cost US$350 million over four years,” said Rio Tinto.