Diavik Diamond Mine
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The Diavik Diamond Mine is a diamond mine located at in the Northwest Territories, Canada, about 300 km (180 miles) north of Yellowknife. It has become an important part of the regional economy, employing 700, grossing $100 million CAD in sales, and producing 8 million carats (1,600 kg) of diamonds annually. The area was surveyed in 1992 and construction began in 2001, with production commencing in January 2003. It is connected by an ice road and a 1,585 meter (5,200 ft) gravel runway that regularly accommodates Boeing 737 jet aircraft.
The mine is owned by a joint venture between the Aber Diamond Corporation and Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., a subsidiary of Rio Tinto Group. The lifespan of the mine is expected to be from 16 to 22 years.
It is located on 20 square kilometer island, informally called East Island, in Lac de Gras, which is about 220 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle.
