Diamond Mines of the World | Canada

Canadian Diamond Mines

Ekati Diamond Mine

Both the Ekati and Diavik mines are located in the pristine arctic wilderness of Canada's Northwest Territories some 350 miles south of the Arctic Ocean. The Ekati diamond mine (below, right) is Canada's first diamond mining operation. It is located on Lac de Gras, in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Prospector Chuck Fipke discovered the Lac de Gras kimberlite pipes in 1991.

Ekati means "Caribou Fat Lake" in the language native to the Dog-Rib Indians of the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Ekati mine began operations on October 14 1998. The Ekati Diamond Mine now produces an average of three million carats of rough diamonds every year.

Ekati Mine (right) Attribution - Public Domain

Diamonds from the Ekati mines are found in 45 to 62 million year old kimberlite pipes which lie directly underneath shallow lakes formed in inactive volcanic calderas or craters (crater lakes). Diamonds from the Ekati Mine are sold under the trade name "Aurias" and their authenticity is verified through the "CanadaMark" service, operated by BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. BHP Billiton Group is the world's largest diversified resources company.

The Ekati Mine laser-engraves the girdle of each diamond with the Ekati logo and a unique serial number signifying its authenticity and Canadian origin. The laser-engraving is only visible under magnification and using special light filters (see simulation above, right).

Diavik Diamond Mine

The Diavik open-pit diamond mine (above, left) is located approximately 20 kilometers south-east of the Ekati diamond mine and 300 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The Diavik Mine is built over four kimberlite pipes that lie directly beneath the existing shallow lake-bed of Lac de Gras. Mining operations are located on Lac de Gras' East Island. Due to the harsh weather conditions, access to the Ekati and Diavik mines is by air or a temporary ice road. The gravel landing strip can accommodate large jet aircraft.

Photo Attribution - Public Domain

The mine began construction in 2001 and mining production commenced on January of 2003. The Diavik diamond mine is a joint venture between the Aber Diamond Corporation and Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group and was built for a cost of 1.13 billion dollars. The Diavik mine is expected to produce 1.5 million tons of kimberlite ore material in its estimated 16-22 year lifespan. The mine employs some 700 workers and produces around eight million carats (approx. 90 million dollars US) of rough diamonds per year.

Snap Lake Diamond Project

Anglo American, and Oppenheimer family company & De Beers Canada own a 100% stake in the Snap Lake Diamond Project which is in 'Phase One' pre-production development, with full production slated for 2007. Snap Lake mining operations are expected to employ 550 permanent workers.

Victor Diamond Project

The Victor Diamond Project Another is another Anglo American/De Beers Canada operation, that will be an open-pit mine with an expected life of 12 years, located in the James Bay Lowlands, Northern Ontario. The Victor Project is located over 1 of 18 kimberlite pipes located on the property. Mining operations are expected to employ 380 permanent workers.

Fort à la Corne Diamond Project

Other De Beers Canada operations that are expected to go online in the future are the Fort à la Corne Diamond Project (FALC), 50km north-east of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. The Fort à la Corne field comprises the largest diamondiferous kimberlite clusters in the world, with over 71 diamondiferous kimberlite pipes. The field is expected to produce an average of 7 to 16 carats per hundred tonnes of extracted ore.

Gahcho Kué Diamond Project

The Gahcho Kué project on Lac de Gras is in the 'conceptual study' phase. The project area contains 8 diamondiferous kimberlite pipes under Kennady Lake. Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers Canada Exploration Inc., Mountain Province Diamonds Inc., and Camphor Ventures.

Southern Era Diamonds Projects

Southern Era Diamonds Inc. of London and Toronto, runs the world's fourth-largest global diamond-exploration and mining program. Southern Era has multiple exploration projects spread all over Canada. The 'Trillion Project' is located in north western Ontario, as a joint venture with De Beers. Their 'Kidme Block Project' is located near the kimberlite fields of De Beers' Gahcho Kué Project. Southern Era projects in the NWT North West Territories (Slave Craton & Churchill Province) include the Lac de Gras X Claims Project, Monument Project, Yamba Lake, and WO Block Project.