How to Close a Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories

5 hours ago

The Diavik Diamond Mine, located in the Northwest Territories, is set to close after commercial operations cease, with plans to restore the site to its natural state.
The mine's discovery traces back to geologist Chuck Fipke and his partner Stewart Blusson, who found diamonds at Lac de Gras in 1991, leading to the creation of the Ekati and later Diavik mines.
Diavik has extracted 150 million carats of diamonds since its opening in 2003, significantly contributing to the NWT's economy with $1.2 billion to the GDP in 2023.
Closure and remediation efforts will span several years, including filling the mine craters with processed kimberlite and flooding them with lake water, alongside monitoring for up to ten years post-closure.
The closure poses economic challenges for the NWT, with diamond mines having spent $755 million on local goods and services, prompting discussions on transitioning to critical mineral mining and infrastructure projects.
Employees like Melanie Rabesca reflect on the mine's closure as the end of an era, highlighting the personal and professional growth experienced by workers, alongside the community and family bonds formed over years.

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