The lifespan of the Ekati diamond mine could be extended another 25 years, and perhaps even further into the future, according to Burgundy Diamond Mines CEO Kim Truter.

SA国际影视传媒淚tSA国际影视传媒檚 been going for 25 years, and thereSA国际影视传媒檚 probably still another 25 years to go,SA国际影视传媒� Truter said from Vancouver Island, where he lives. SA国际影视传媒淭hatSA国际影视传媒檚 our long-term goal.SA国际影视传媒�

Ekati is situated near Lac de Gras, approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife. It opened in 1998. Previous estimates suggested the mine would cease operations toward the end of this decade, and possibly sooner, but last July, Australian firm Burgundy purchased the property with the belief that it still has lots to give.

SA国际影视传媒淲e paid $136 million US for an asset that had probably $2 billion of assets infrastructure,SA国际影视传媒� said Truter, who has also worked for the Diavik and Gahcho Kue diamond mines over the course of his decades-long career in the industry. SA国际影视传媒淭hen on top of that, thereSA国际影视传媒檚 a diamond inventory, plus a pipeline of development projects.

SA国际影视传媒淲hen you look at the resources on the ground SA国际影视传媒� this is what we keep reminding people SA国际影视传媒� Ekati has still got the third-largest diamond endowment on the planet. We look at it as a wonderful addition, and itSA国际影视传媒檚 become the cornerstone asset for Burgundy.SA国际影视传媒�

ItSA国际影视传媒檚 been just over six months since Burgundy bought Ekati, along with all other assets of former owner Arctic Diamond Company. SA国际影视传媒淭he ownership change has gone fantastically,SA国际影视传媒� according to Truter, thanks in large part to a specialized integration team.

The smooth transition has strengthened the CEOSA国际影视传媒檚 opinion that Burgundy is the right company to extend the mineSA国际影视传媒檚 lifespan. The plan to do so is multifaceted and long-term in nature. The first phase, which Truter believes will extend the mineSA国际影视传媒檚 life until about 2037, hinges on the execution of five additional projects, including extended work at EkatiSA国际影视传媒檚 Misery, Sable and Fox sites, and the continued expansion of Point Lake, its newest open pit.

All five projects SA国际影视传媒渘eed to happen,SA国际影视传媒� according to Truter. He also noted that the timing of the projects is critical.

SA国际影视传媒淭ime is the most important thing,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淲e need to make sure that things donSA国际影视传媒檛 get slowed down by bureaucratic processes.

SA国际影视传媒淭hose projects that we are trying to develop, they need to be sequenced quite quickly. We canSA国际影视传媒檛 afford to lose any time. That worries me a bit.SA国际影视传媒�

Truter also emphasized the importance of continuing to work with local Indigenous governments and communities, and hiring Northerners to run the mine, which already employs more than 1,000 people.

SA国际影视传媒淎 Northern workforce makes very good business sense,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淥ne of the huge advantages of a Northern workforce is that they are not going anywhere, unlike southern workers, who will change jobs and have other opportunities come up somewhere else in Canada. Northerners donSA国际影视传媒檛 do that.

ISA国际影视传媒檓 always passionate about maximizing how many Northerners you have in the workforce because itSA国际影视传媒檚 a win-win situation. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 good for the business and itSA国际影视传媒檚 good for the people in the North.SA国际影视传媒�

Since Burgundy purchased Ekati last summer, Truter said he has spent some time getting SA国际影视传媒渞eacquaintedSA国际影视传媒� with the communities and people of the region, and that he has the impression residents are excited about the possibility of the mine extending its operations well into the future.

SA国际影视传媒淲e all seem to have a common goal, and the common goal is making sure the North is healthy and prosperous for many years to come,SA国际影视传媒� he said.