Diavik diamond mine is moving into its next phase of what its owner, Rio Tinto, is calling the A21 underground mine.
Now that A21 is in commercial production, Rio Tinto says it will maximize the value of its known resources through to closure, scheduled for 2026.
It took 1,800 metres of underground tunnels to access the ore body, according to a news release issued Oct. 3. It also involved more than 100,000 labour hours SA国际影视传媒� over the course of 20 months SA国际影视传媒� and this new phase cost an additional investment of US$17 million, the news release adds.
Rio Tinto says it is continuing its investment in preparing for the closure and remediation of Diavik, which is scheduled to be complete by 2029.
The mine has produced more than 140 million carats of rough diamonds since it went into production in 2003.
