OREANDA-NEWS. April 01, 2015. The Diavik Diamond Mine, a joint venture with Dominion Diamond Corporation (Rio Tinto 60 per cent; Dominion Diamond Corporation 40 per cent) has released its 2014 Sustainable Development report.

The Diavik Diamond Mine, located on an island in a remote sub-arctic lake in the Northwest Territories, Canada, began production in 2003 and became a fully underground mining operation in 2012. The Diavik mine produces predominantly gem quality diamonds, destined for high end jewellery in all major consumer markets around the world.

Marc Cameron, president and chief operating officer of Diavik said “At Diavik, sustainable development is integrated into everything we do. Our operations provide benefits and opportunities for local communities, businesses, and governments and we work with all our stakeholders to deliver substantial and lasting benefits.”

Highlights of the 2014 Diavik sustainable development report include:

• Safe mining and processing of over two million tonnes of ore for the second consecutive year as a fully underground mine;
• An underground mining team that comprises sixty per cent northerners and forty per cent Aboriginals;
• The highest percentage of northern spending since 2006. Of the C\\$251 million of northern spending, C\\$110 million was with northern Aboriginal businesses;
• A comprehensive transportation contract awarded to Det’on Cho Logistics, a Yellowknives Dene First Nation company; and
• Multiple energy management initiatives resulting in a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

In 2014 the development of a fourth pipe, known as A21, was approved, providing an important source of incremental supply for Diavik and economic and social benefits to the communities in which Diavik operates.