Diamond Mines Still Operating, Despite Wildfires
August 22, 23
(IDEX Online) - Diamond mines in Canada's Northwest Territories (NWT) are still operating, as wildfires continue to rage, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of people.
Yellowknife, the territories' capital, is home to many of the workers employed at the region's three remote fly in-fly out mines on the edge of the Arctic Circle.
Thirty per cent of De Beers workforce at its Gahcho Kue mine live in Yellowknife and the company said it was watching the situation very closely.
Company spokesman Erik Madsen said: "Our hearts go out to everyone who has been forced from their homes and who have lost their homes and businesses during this unprecedented wildfire season.
"We are also working closely with our more than 40 Gahcho Kue colleagues who have evacuated from Hay River, Fort Smith, Enterprise, and Jean Marie River."
Ekati, Canada's first diamond mine, is also in the vicinity, as is Rio Tinto's Diavik. None of the mines has so far been directly affected by the 230 fires currently blazing across NWT.
Pic shows one of Canada's many wildfires.