Diavik Miner Workers Offered Voluntary Separation
September 30, 24
(IDEX Online) - Rio Tinto is offering "voluntary separation" to staff at its Diavik mine, in Canada, ahead of its planned closure in 2026.
The British-Australian multinational told over 1,300 employees in an email earlier this month that it was looking to "reduce operating costs across the business."
Revenue from diamond sales was down 40 per cent during H1, from $250m to $149m. Production fell 25 per cent, from 1.924m carats to 1.441m carats.
A spokesperson for Rio Tinto told Cabin Radio: "As part of our ongoing efforts to operate a sustainable mine in the Northwest Territories, Diavik is exploring the possibility of early voluntary severance opportunities for staff who are interested, as a first step in the journey to the responsible closure of Diavik."
Diavik has become an integral part of the Northwest Territories (NWT) economy and has recovered over 100m carats since it began commercial operations in 2003.
Meanwhile the Gahcho Kue mine, also in NWT, (and owned by De Beers) is also slated to close, around 2030.
Pic courtesy Rio Tinto shows Diavik mine.