Victor Mine near Attawapiskat will be closing its doors in early 2019.
De Beers says the diamond mine has been a model mine, but it has reached the end of its life. Victor Mine opened in July 2008 and has since produced approximately 7-million carats of diamonds. Chief Executive Officer for De Beers Canada Kim Truter says this decision is based on economics. Truter says this will affect its over 500 employees.
Truter says employees were told Tuesday and have been given the opportunity to transfer to other mines across the country. He adds that complete demolition plans are underway.
Truter says that environmental reclamation work is already underway. He says over 200,000 tree saplings grown locally have been planted near the mine site.
Truter says De Beers will continue diamond mine exploration in Ontario in hopes of finding a new mine site.
