Ekati Diamond Mine
The Ekati Diamond Mine (named after the Tlicho word meaning ‘fat lake’) is Canada’s first surface and underground diamond mine.
It officially began production in October 1998, following extensive exploration and development work dating back to 1981. Like Diavik, the Ekati mine site is located in the Lac de Gras region of the Northwest Territories, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife.
The company operates the Ekati Diamond Mine in which it owns a controlling interest. Over the mine’s early years, production was focused on six open pits (Beartooth, Fox, Koala, Koala North, Misery, and Panda) and three underground operations (Koala, Koala North, and Panda).
As of 2018, Koala, Lynx, Misery, Pigeon, and Sable are the actively mined pipes. Lynx, Pigeon, and Sable are open pit operations, while Koala is an underground operation. Misery operations will transition from open pit to underground mining in 2018, subject to permitting approvals.
The current mine life of Ekati, including the Misery underground and the Jay project, is 2034. Several exploration and project evaluation activities are ongoing, including the Fox Deep project which would extend the life of Ekati to 2042.
Diavik Diamond Mine
The Diavik Diamond Mine is Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of carat production. Diavik was established following the discovery of four diamond-bearing deposits, called kimberlite pipes, in 1994 and 1995.
Diavik began producing diamonds in January 2003, and the company sold its first rough diamonds in March that year. Diavik diamonds are highly regarded in the international commercial marketplace particularly for their white colour and good clarity. Diavik’s exceptional grades make it one of the most valuable diamond mines in the world.
Dominion Diamond Mines does not operate the Diavik Diamond Mine. The mine is operated by Diavik Diamond Mines (2012) Inc., a subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc, one of the world’s largest and most highly regarded mining companies. Under the joint arrangement, Rio Tinto operates the mine and Dominion Diamond pays 40 per cent of the mine’s operating and capital costs while receiving 40 per cent of the mine’s diamond output.
The mine plan is built on four diamond-bearing kimberlite pipes. The three kimberlite pipes currently being mined, A154 South, A154 North, and A418, are very high grade. The fourth pipe, A21, is currently in development with the first kimberlite production anticipated by the end of 2018. The current mine plan is expected to take the mine’s production to 2025.
Diamond Sorting & Selling
The Company maximizes the sales value of its rough stones from the Diavik and Ekati Diamond Mines and maintains a preferred position as a supplier of rough diamonds to the world’s diamond manufacturers (cutters and polishers) by dealing directly with them and tailoring rough diamond parcels to the client’s particular needs.