22 August 2023
August 22, 2023
Ekati Diamond Mine continues to be outside of any current or anticipated wildfire risk. The remote and sub-Arctic location has enabled the mine operations to continue to produce with carat production that remains on target. Ekati is approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, and the closest wildfire continues to be approximately 135 kilometres southwest of the mine site.
Several Burgundy Diamond Mines team members who live in Yellowknife and surrounding communities under evacuation orders have relocated to Edmonton, Calgary and Grande Prairie in Alberta. A couple of Ekati team members, with specialized emergency response skills, firefighting expertise and equipment operational experience have volunteered to help with response efforts during their time off. A majority of the Burgundy workforce fly into Ekati directly from Calgary and work two weeks and then fly out through the same route for two weeks off. Burgundy leadership members have been supporting employees to enable continued operation through enabling flexible work arrangements and adapting to the removal of the Yellowknife fly point by providing additional flights from Edmonton via Calgary and on to Ekati.
Burgundy Diamond Mines remains committed to supporting its people who have been affected by the wildfires and will continue to monitor and provide updates on the wildfire situation. We will continue to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories to assist with wildfire response efforts and supporting those team members who live in evacuated regions. We value the neighbouring communities who have been directly impacted by the wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories and will continue to monitor the best way to support them as the situation evolves.
August 17, 2023
Several communities in the Northwest Territories have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires are threatening the health and safety of residents in the capital city of Yellowknife and surrounding communities. Although there is a growing concern for many residents in the area, Ekati Diamond Mine is located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife. Located on Arctic tundra, a terrain that is characterized by boulder fields and numerous lakes and streams, Ekati is not at current or anticipated wildfire risk. As of the release of this announcement the closest wildfire is approximately 135 kilometres southwest of the mine site.
Burgundy Diamond Mines leadership team has been and will continue to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories to assist with wildfire response efforts and is supporting several team members who live in evacuated regions. We have contingency plans in place to maintain continued operations and to provide alternate work arrangements for those who are personally affected by the wildfires.
Burgundy Diamond Mines remains committed to supporting its people who have been affected by the wildfires and will continue to monitor and provide updates on the wildfire situation.
We will continue to support our neighbours who have been directly impacted by the destruction, uncertainty caused by the wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories.