26 November 2014
Rio Tinto, operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada, has formally approved the development of a fourth pipe, known as A21, at the remote subarctic Diavik mine site.
The A21 pipe development was part of the original mine plan and is estimated to cost US$350 million over four years. The Diavik Joint Venture (Rio Tinto 60 per cent; Dominion Diamond Corporation 40 per cent) has approved the 2015 programme of works and the A21 diamond production is planned for late 2018. The A21 production will provide an important source of incremental supply for Diavik, ensuring the continuation of existing production levels.
The A21 kimberlite pipe is located just south of Diavik's existing mining operations. A21 development will require rockfill dike construction to encircle the ore body located just offshore of existing mining operations at Lac de Gras. Diavik will utilize the same innovative design and engineering technologies used to construct the Diavik mine's two other dikes that enabled mining of three existing pipes.