Rio Tinto to proceed with underground mining of Diavik’s A21 pipe

23 February 2023
YELLOWKNIFE, Canada – Rio Tinto has approved a $40-million investment in the first phase of underground mining below the existing A21 open pit at its Diavik Diamond Mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada. 
 
Based on the updated mine plan and production schedule including the A154N and A154S pipes, and subject to approval of the second phase of the A21 underground project, Diavik is now expected to end commercial production in the first quarter of 2026. 
 
Phase 1 of underground mining of Diavik’s A21 pipe is expected to deliver an additional 1.4 million carats of rough diamonds . Current employees and contractors will be transitioned from other areas of the mine for both the construction and production phases of the project.
 
Diavik expects to seek approval for Phase 2 of the A21 underground project in the first half of 2024. Phase 2 is expected to deliver an additional 0.8 million carats of rough diamonds1. 
 
Sinead Kaufman, Chief Executive of Rio Tinto Minerals said: “Rio Tinto’s decision to support the underground development of the A21 pipe was prefaced on compelling industry fundamentals, our proven capacity to safely develop diamond mines in extreme conditions and a track record in competing successfully in the global diamond industry. This is good news for our employees, partners, suppliers and local communities in the Northwest Territories.”
 
The Diavik mine, 100 percent owned and operated by Rio Tinto, is Canada’s largest diamond mine in terms of production with 6-7 million carats of rough diamonds produced each year. Since mining began in 2003 Diavik has produced over 100 million carats of diamonds. Construction of the A21 open pit commenced in 2015 and it was finished safely and ahead of time to commence commercial production in 2018.
 
1 The Phase 1 production target for the Diavik A21 pipe is underpinned 87% by Proved Ore Reserves and 13% by Probable Ore Reserves. The Phase 2 production target for the Diavik A21 pipe is underpinned 100% by Indicated Mineral Resources. These production targets have been scheduled from current mine designs by Competent Persons in accordance with the requirements of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Minerals Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 Edition (the JORC code).
 
 
Contacts
 
Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com
 
Communications Manager, Rio Tinto Diamonds 
Robyn Ellison 
M + 61 417 968 359 
E  robyn.ellison@riotinto.com
 
 
Media Relations, UK
Matthew Klar
M+ 44 7796 630 637
 
David Outhwaite
M +44 7787 597 493
 
Media Relations, Americas
Simon Letendre
M +1 514 796 4973
 
Malika Cherry
M +1 418 592 7293
 
Investor Relations, UK
Menno Sanderse
M: +44 7825 195 178
 
David Ovington
M +44 7920 010 978
 
Clare Peever
M +44 7788 967 877
 
Media Relations, Australia
Matt Chambers
M +61 433 525 739
 
Jesse Riseborough
M +61 436 653 412
 
Alyesha Anderson 
M +61 434 868 118
 
Investor Relations, Australia
Tom Gallop
M +61 439 353 948
 
Amar Jambaa 
M +61 472 865 948
 

 

Category: Diavik