Dominion Diamond mine have secured environmental approval for Ekati mine’s expansion. In this way, the government accepted the board’s 22 recommendations. The mine was supposed to run out of its reserves in 2020 but the new expansion has extended Ekati’s mine life till 2033. The operations at the new pit, Jay Pit, are expected to begin in 2021.
For expansion, Dominion Diamond will have to invest in new infrastructure. In this way, a dyke needs to be built in Lac du Sauvage; parts of the lake need to be drained and an access road needs to be created. Dominion Diamond have come up with a “road mitigation” scheme to minimize impact on the local wildlife i.e caribou.
Ekati Mine Life Extended to 2033!