Rio Tinto is preparing for the eventual closure of the Diavik mine. Credit: EgolenaHK/Shutterstock.

Rio Tinto has announced the commencement of commercial production at Phase 1 of the A21 underground mine, part of Diavik Diamond Mine operations in the Northwest Territories of Canada.

The company has invested an additional $17m (£12.91m) into Phase 2 of the A21 underground project earlier this year, ensuring the mine’s productivity through to its planned closure.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

The construction phase of the A21 underground mine involved the excavation of more than 1,800m of tunnels to access the diamond-bearing ore.

As Rio Tinto prepares for the eventual closure of the Diavik mine, it continues to invest in reclamation activities.

These efforts include earthworks, site clean-up and equipment procurement, demonstrating the company’s dedication to responsible mining practices and environmental stewardship.

See Also:

Diavik Diamond Mine chief operating officer Matt Breen said: “The A21 underground operation is positive news for our employees, partners, suppliers and local communities in the Northwest Territories, as it will enable operations to continue through to closure.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“Rio Tinto’s decision to proceed with Phase 2 is a testament to the excellent performance of our Diavik team in successfully developing the underground mine beneath the previously mined A21 open pit.”

Last year, Rio Tinto announced plans to move forward with a $40m expansion at the Diavik mine, transitioning the existing A21 open pit into an underground operation, which will extend the mine’s life until at least early 2026.

Phase one below A21 is expected to produce an additional 1.4 million carats while the second phase would produce a further 800,000 carats of rough diamonds.

The Diavik mine has produced more than 144 million carats of rough diamonds since mining began in 2003.