Diavik Mine Completes Phase 1 of A21 Underground Project and Clears Path for Production End
One of the biggest diamond producers in Canada, Diavik has finally completed the development and construction of Phase 1 on the A21 underground mine and is ready to commence commercial production. This achievement has led Rio Tinto to approve another $17 million investment in Phase 2 of the A21 project, which would extract maximum value from the resources at the mine until it reached the final stages of closure.
More than 1,800 meters of tunnels were built to gain access to the ore body in the A21 underground mine. Rio Tinto says that, “the 20-month project was finished with 100,000 hours of effort and no lost time injuries”.
Speaking to CBC News, Diavik COO Matt Breen states that A21 sublevel operation will ensure continuity in operation until closure and benefit the workers, partners, suppliers, and local communities of Northwest Territories. He further added that this is also reflected in the decision of Rio Tinto of pushing forward with Phase 2 of the sublevel project.
The company is investing in remediation activities, focusing on progressive reclamation activities such as site clean-up and purchase of equipment ahead of the eventual closure of the mine. The largest off-grid solar project in Canada's territories, a 3.5 MW photovoltaic power plant the company constructed this year, will provide up to 25 percent of electricity to Diavik during the closure period. This project adds onto an already existing wind power plant, thus strengthening the mine's commitment to renewable sources.
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