DIAMOND MINING: Snap Lake ramps up production

NORTHWEST TERRITORIES — Toronto-based De Beers Canada has given the green light to ramping up production at its Snap Lake diamond mine near Lac de Gras. Full production. 1.4 million ct per year, will be reached by the end of 2012.

The move will result in 175 additional jobs at the mine site by the end of 2010. The construction of the permanent accommodation complex has also been resumed. The camp's construction was put on hold in 2008 as part of the De Beers' response to the economic slowdown.

In more good news, De Beers has been accredited to certify underground mine employees at Snap Lake to the Ontario Common Core standard. To train and develop a skilled northern workforce, the company has also partnered with the Mine Training Society, Aurora College and the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment to improve its underground training program.

"Offering training and certification that includes nationally recognized standards will give NWT residents who come through this training program increased recognition of their skills from mines across the country," said Hilary Jones, general manager for the Mine Training Society. "This partnership is something that is going to put the NWT on the map as a great place to live and work as a miner and as a great place for underground mine training."

She noted the first intake of students that will include this new certification aspect in the program will take place in January 2010. See www.MineTraining.ca for more information.

Learn more about the Snap Lake mine at www.DeBeersCanada.com.