DIAMONDS: Gahcho Kue wins economic leadership award

[caption id="attachment_1003725896" align="aligncenter" width="481"] The multi-award winning Gahcho Kue diamond mine shines under the Aurora Borealis. (Image: Mountain Province Diamonds)[/caption] YELLOWKNIFE, NWT – The Gahcho Kue diamond  mine near Lac des Gras is well on its way to be the most decorated mine in Canada. Operator and 51% owner De Beers Canada won the 2018 Northwest Territories MAX  award for economic leadership at the Mining and Exploration gala on Nov. 22, 2018. The remaining 49% of the project belongs to Mountain Provence Diamonds. The event marked the end of the 46th annual Yellowknife Geoscience Forum. The award recognizes that the mine has a gross value add of $2.1 billion to the NWT economy. That number is expected to increase by another $5.3 billion over the life of the project. Gahcho Kue general manager Allan Rodel, said when accepting the award: “Our strategy is based on the fundamentals of being a trusted corporate leader, creating thriving communities, and operating in and leaving behind a healthy environment. Our ambition is to build upon our first 50 years in Canada and be the most innovative and sustainable diamond mining business in Canada.” Sustainability initiatives at the mine won a second award for environmental and social responsibility at the same gala. The mine is one member of Ni Hadi Xa, an environmental monitoring agency. Other members include Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kue has won mine rescue competitions, safety awards, a gold award for project management,  and the Viola R. MacMillan award. Click here to learn more about the Gahcho Kue diamond mine.