Canada's Winter Road Closes

(IDEX Online News) - Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., operator of the Diavik diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories, completed its winter road resupply on March 27. The 2011 winter road opened January 28 and officially closed for the season on March 31.

With no all-season road access, Diavik resupplies the diamond mine via a seasonal ice road open each year for approximately two months. This year, Diavik trucked 3,859 loads (approximately 127,000 tonnes) of fuel, cement, explosives, equipment and other materials, over the winter road.

Cold winter temperatures resulted in excellent ice conditions. The three operating diamond mines and a few other third party users hauled a total of 6,832 loads northbound. Backhauls totaled 557 loads of equipment and other materials. Total tonnage hauled was approximately 239,000 tonnes.

The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is managed by a joint venture committee, which includes Diavik, BHP Billiton Diamonds and De Beers Canada.