Ekati Diamond Mine, Surface and underground diamond mine in Northwest Territories, Canada
Ekati Diamond Mine is a surface and underground mining operation in the Northwest Territories that extracts diamonds from multiple extraction sites. The facility spans a large area near Lac de Gras with both open pit operations and subsurface mining works.
Geologists discovered kimberlite pipes in the early 1990s north of Lac de Gras, leading to the establishment of mining operations. The facility began producing diamonds in 1998 and became one of Canada's major diamond sources.
The name Ekati comes from the Tlicho language, reflecting the Indigenous territories of the region. This mining operation shapes the economy and employment landscape of remote northern communities.
Access to the site requires air transport, with flights departing from nearby communities. Visitors must obtain prior authorization as entry is restricted to authorized personnel only.
The kimberlite deposits at this location formed millions of years ago and many lie beneath Arctic lakes. This unusual placement beneath water makes extraction technically demanding and is a defining feature of northern diamond mining.
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