Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Wins Land Use Permit
December 04, 13
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The permit allows land-based site works to commence in preparation for deliveries planned for the 2014 winter road season.
Tony Guthrie, CEO of De Beers Canada, commented: “Approval of the permit allows Gahcho Kué to position itself for the start of full construction pending the receipt of the full Land Use Permit and Water License expected in 2014. The construction and operational phases of Gahcho Kué will benefit the Canadian economy and local communities, creating new business and employment opportunities for residents of the Northwest Territories and continuing to build Canada’s position as a premier diamond producer.”
Patrick Evans, Mountain Province President and CEO, added: “This represents an important milestone for the Gahcho Kué project. The shareholders of Mountain Province look forward to an efficient and timely completion of the remaining regulatory process in 2014, which is necessary to ensure the optimal development of the Gahcho Kué diamond mine.”
Gahcho Kué will employ close to 700 people during the two years of construction and close to 400 people during its operational phase. The Gahcho Kué project life of mine is approximately 11 years in duration and will mine about 31 million tonnes of ore containing an estimated 49 million carats.
Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers, with 51 percent and Mountain Province Diamonds with 49 percent and is located 280 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories.
The Gahcho Kué joint venture is also currently updating the 2010 Gahcho Kué feasibility study and expects to announce the results of an Optimization Study early next year.