Rio Tinto's Diavik Diamond Mine reaches 150 million carats in production milestone. Canada's first diamond mine to hit this record, producing premium gems since 2003 until its closure in 2026.
This makes Diavik the first Canadian diamond mine to hit this production level.
Location and Operations
The mine sits on an island in a remote sub-Arctic Lake in Canada's Northwest Territories.
Diavik produces two main diamond types:
- Premium white diamonds (majority of output)
- Yellow diamonds (smaller quantities)
These gems end up in luxury jewelry sold worldwide.
Breaking Production Records
Original estimates from the late 1990s predicted just over 100 million carats total production.
The mine surpassed these projections by 50 million carats.
What drove this success? The facility set new standards in:
- Mining technology
- Partnership agreements
- Sustainable operations
Leadership Perspective
Matthew Breen serves as Chief Operating Officer at Diavik. He credits the milestone to team focus and commitment.
"We are proud to reach this milestone," Breen stated. "Strong partnerships are at the heart of how we work at Diavik."
The operation faced challenging conditions throughout its lifespan. The team maintained safe and effective mining practices despite these obstacles.
Mine Structure and Timeline
Diavik consists of four distinct pipes for diamond extraction.
Production will end in early 2026.
Planning for closure started years ago. The closure strategy covers multiple areas:
- Worker safety protocols
- Land restoration plans
- Water management systems
- Wildlife protection measures
- Community support programs
- Future resource development options
Why This Matters
Canadian diamonds carry special value in global markets. Buyers prize these gems for their verified origin and clean supply chain.
The 150 million carat milestone proves Canada's position as a major diamond producer.
What happens when Diavik closes? The mining industry will lose a significant source of premium diamonds.
Key Partnerships
Diavik's success came from collaboration with multiple stakeholders:
- Investment partners
- Local communities
- Business associates
- Government agencies
- Mine workforce
These relationships helped the operation exceed original production targets.
The mine's closure in 2026 will mark the end of over two decades of diamond production in this remote Arctic location.
Rio Tinto's Diavik Diamond Mine achieves historic 150 million carat production milestone, becoming Canada's first diamond mine to reach this benchmark. Located in the Northwest Territories on a remote sub-Arctic Lake Island, the mine has exceeded original projections of 100 million carats since starting operations in 2003. The facility produces premium white and yellow diamonds for global luxury markets and will cease operations in early 2026.
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