More layoffs are planned at the Victor Mine.
De Beers Canada announced back in November that the Ontario diamond mine near Attawapiskat would be closing by February 2019. This is happening during the same year the mine is celebrating 10 years of operations.
Head of External and Corporate Affairs Tom Ormsby says the layoff process has been happening in stages. Ormsby says the company has already reduced the staff from 500 people to about 300 because the work area in the mine is getting smaller. He adds that some of the bigger mining equipment has already been taken out of the open pit. Ormsby says in November there will be more people laid off.
He says the rest of the staff will be working until the mine closes its doors or they leave on their own accord. Ormsby says after the mine hits its end of life, demolition of the site will start.
Ormsby says reclamation work is already underway. He says He says there is a group of workers already planting trees to start plant regrowth in the area.
De Beers says the mine is on pace to have its best production year to date, which would be a great way to end its life.