Rio Tinto Celebrates Final day of Production at Diavik Mine

Rio Tinto is celebrating the end of a major production, following its 23rd year of operations.

Following production of more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds, the company is celebrating its final moments.

This project was full of innovation and determination, with celebrations looking back on the years.

Diavik diamond mine

The Rio Tinto Diavik Diamond Mine sits approximately 200 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. At the bottom of Lac de Gras in Canada's Northwest Territories, some of the world's most sought-after diamonds sit. The mine comprises four diamond-bearing pipes that are owned and managed by Rio Tinto, using a combination of open pit and underground mining.

Diavik was designed, constructed and operated on a grand scale, operating in one of the most challenging environments in a very delicate ecosystem. Throughout this innovation, Rio Tinto states it was "able to mine some of the world’s most ethical diamonds with a minimal impact on the local land, water and wildlife."

However, the company is now celebrating the end of production, with the belief that the Diavik mine has reached the end of its finite life cycle. As such, the buildings on site will be removed and the embankments will be restored.

As such, the message from Rio Tinto is not a one of job losses or failed projects, but a natural – and expected – end to the project.

Early beginnings

The Diavik mining operation was designed with the knowledge that an end would come. As such, the buildings on site were designed to be easily and safely demolished and disposed of. Once this occurs, the embankments, which were erected to hold back the waters of the Lac de Gras in order to reach the diamond-bearing pipes, will be breached to allow the water to flow back into its natural state.

Operations at Diavik have been taking place for 23 years, having been discovered in 1991. Over this time, more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds have been produced. Now, having exhausted its economic reserves, Rio Tinto has celebrated its final day of production.

"Forty years ago there were very few people who believed there were diamonds in Canada – even fewer could have foreseen how the Diavik story would unfold," says Sophie Bergeron, Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium and Diamonds Managing Director.

"To arrive at this milestone has required vision, courage and determination to overcome significant challenges to mine diamonds beneath a frozen lake in one of the world’s most remote and pristine ecosystems.

“Today, Diavik’s influence stretches into many spheres and over many continents and I am very proud to acknowledge all those people who have contributed to the discovery and development of the mine and the production and marketing of some of the finest diamonds the world has ever seen.”

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An efficient ending

Mining first began at this site in 2003, utilising open put and underground mining methods to produce predominantly white gem quality diamonds, as well as some rare yellow diamonds. Much of production has aimed to ensure sustainability and ethical mining, utilising renewable energy and working to actively reduce diesel consumption. 

Moreover, Rio Tinto partnered with Indigenous people to respectfully mine the lands, as well as used modern engineering technologies to ensure minimal damage.

A celebration of the mine has taken place, signalling a final completion of production at Diavik. This was attended by Indigenous Government Organisations, government representatives and other stakeholders.

“This is a historic day for Diavik and the Northwest Territories and a great source of pride for this unique Canadian success story," explains Matthew Breen, Chief Operating Officer at Diavik.

"Diavik has been an inspired collaboration between a modern mining company and Indigenous partners with an enduring legacy of socioeconomic benefits for the North. We look forward to continuing to respectfully reclaim the land in line with our commitments to, and in partnership with, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous partners.”

The closure had been planned from before production began, ensuring that it would end safely and efficiently. Closure plans included safety, land use, landforms, water, biodiversity and resource development. Diavik will be working on its closure until 2029, which will also extend to a period of post-closure monitoring.

The final production of Diavik rough times will be polished and sold across the near future.