Diavik Completes Successful Winter Road Resupply

Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories, recently completed its 2009 winter road resupply via a seasonal ice road leading to its site almost 300 km northeast of Yellowknife.

This year the company trucked 2,779 loads (91,362 tonnes) of fuel, cement, explosives, equipment and other materials. Overall, colder temperatures resulted in excellent ice conditions which allowed all users to truck a total of 5,377 loads (173,195 tonnes).

The Tibbitt to Contwoyto winter road, managed by a joint venture committee, which includes Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc., and De Beers Canada Inc., is committed to constructing, operating, and maintaining the roadway. The route, under normal winter temperatures, is open each year for approximately two months, during which time trucks run continuously to provide necessary supplies to the various mines in the area.

The Diavik Diamond Mine is an unincorporated joint venture between DDMI (60%) and Harry Winston Diamond Mines Ltd. (40%). Both companies are headquartered in Yellowknife. DDMI is the operator of the project.