Posted by Paul Moore on 4th October 2024
Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine has safely accomplished the event and development of Part 1 of the A21 underground mine, now shifting the underground mine into business manufacturing.
Constructing on the success of the primary part, Part 2 of the A21 underground venture was authorised earlier this 12 months with an extra funding of US$17 million. The venture will allow Diavik to maximise the worth from its recognized sources by way of to closure.
The development of the A21 underground mine concerned the event of over 1,800 m of underground tunnels to entry the orebody and start underground manufacturing. With security because the core focus, there have been no misplaced time accidents after greater than 100,000 labour hours accomplished over 20 months throughout the improvement and development work.
Chief Working Officer of Diavik Diamond Mine Matt Breen stated: “The A21 underground operation is constructive information for our staff, companions, suppliers and native communities within the Northwest Territories, as it’ll allow operations to proceed by way of to closure. Rio Tinto’s determination to proceed with Part 2 is a testomony to the superb efficiency of our Diavik staff in efficiently growing the underground mine beneath the beforehand mined A21 open pit.”
Rio Tinto says it’s also persevering with its funding in getting ready for the closure and remediation of Diavik mine website, specializing in progressive reclamation actions equivalent to earthworks, website clean-up, tools procurement, and different closure readiness efforts.
Diavik Diamond Mine, 100% owned and operated by Rio Tinto, is one among Canada’s largest diamond mines when it comes to quantity of tough diamonds, having produced over 144 million carats of tough diamonds since mining started in 2003. Industrial manufacturing is at present anticipated to finish in 2026. In February 2023, Rio Tinto introduced a US$40 million funding in Part 1 of underground mining beneath the present A21 open pit on the Diavik.
