Whiteouts, Ice Roads, and Wolverines: Working at a Diamond Mine in Far North
17 days ago
- #adventure
- #mining
- #arctic
- Descending into Diavik feels like landing on a distant moon, with a frozen landscape stretching endlessly.
- The extreme cold, reaching thirty below zero, requires travelers to wear heavy boots and parkas.
- Transport from the airstrip includes a 1970s-style school bus, evoking nostalgia but offering cramped conditions.
- The intake process involves security checks similar to airports, with the added allure of nearby cooking aromas.
- Accommodations vary, with some enjoying near-hotel quality while others endure harsh, typical mining camp conditions.
- Diavik Diamond Mine is located on an island in Lac de Gras, near the Arctic Circle, with kimberlite rock hosting diamonds.
- Mining involves reshaping the land into vast open pits, with terraced walls and massive machinery extracting kimberlite.
- The North's dangers include extreme cold, whiteout conditions, and wildlife encounters, requiring strict safety protocols.
- Wildlife, such as foxes and wolverines, are common, with the latter being particularly aggressive and unpredictable.
- The ice road is a critical supply route, but its window is shrinking due to climate change, making logistics challenging.
- Helicopter tours provide a breathtaking view of the mine and surrounding frozen landscape, though flying comes with risks.
- Drilling operations on the ice aim to extend the mine's life, battling equipment failures in extreme cold.
- Anecdotes, like a wolverine causing havoc under a camp kitchen, highlight the unpredictable nature of life in the North.