The territory’s Gahcho Kué diamond mine has been recognized for demonstrating leadership in management and financing for the exploration and development of mineral resources.
RELATED: 68-carat diamond recovered at Gahcho Kué diamond mine
The mine was presented with the Viola R. MacMillan Award during the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada awards gala in Toronto on Tuesday.
Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers, which owns 51 per cent of the mine, and Mountain Province Diamonds, which owns the other 49 per cent.
“To build and bring into operation a world-class mine like Gahcho Kué safely, early and ahead of budget is rare in the mining industry today,” said Kim Truter, CEO of De Beers Canada.
Allan Rodel, general manager of Gahcho Kué, added: “I am extremely proud of the work done by every member of the team at Gahcho Kué.
“We work in some of the most difficult conditions found anywhere in the world, and we have achieved so many important milestones safely, without harm to people or the environment.”
Gahcho Kué, located 280 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, officially began commercial production last week. The mine is expected to produce around 54 million carats of rough diamonds over its lifetime.
Comprising of three open pits, Gahcho Kué will employ approximately 530 people on a full-time basis.
It’s estimated that the diamond mine will contribute $5.3 billion to the territorial economy until 2028, according to a socio-economic impact report prepared by De Beers.
This isn’t the first time the diamond mine has taken home an industry award, though.
Last year, Gahcho Kué won gold at the 11th annual Project Management Institute’s awards gala and also took home the Workplace Health and Safety Award from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce.
