Diavik Diamond Mine, Diamond mine in Northwest Territories, Canada.
Diavik Diamond Mine is a diamond mining operation located on East Island within Lac de Gras, using both underground and open-pit extraction methods. The facility operates year-round and includes on-site infrastructure for continuous production and worker support.
Following diamond discoveries in northern Canada in the late 1990s, the mine began commercial production in 2003 under Rio Tinto Group management. This launch marked a turning point for resource development in the region.
Local Indigenous communities have a voice in operational decisions, with place names reflecting their ancestral relationship to the territory. This partnership shapes how the site functions as a shared space between industry and traditional land stewardship.
The remote facility is accessed via winter ice roads or aircraft, with Boeing 737s landing at the year-round airstrip. Visitors should prepare for extreme weather conditions, as the Arctic location demands special arrangements for movement and logistics.
The site includes a wind farm built in 2012, representing the first large-scale renewable energy project in the region's mining sector. This combination of resource extraction and wind power shows an unusual approach to powering Arctic operations.
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