SourcingNov 18, 2021
Scientists Found This New Deep-Earth Mineral Trapped in a DiamondSourcingNov 19, 2021
Rio Tinto’s Now the Sole Owner of Canada’s Diavik Diamond Mine
It had previously owned 60 percent, partnering with Dominion Diamond Mines.
Rio Tinto is now the sole owner of the Diavik Diamond Mine, located in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
Yellowknife, Canada—Rio Tinto is now the sole owner of Canada’s Diavik Diamond Mine, located in the Northwest Territories.
The company previously owned 60 percent of the mine and operated it. Dominion Diamond Mines owned the remaining 40 percent.
In April 2020, Dominion was granted insolvency protection under the Canadian Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
Dominion sold its other diamond mine, the nearby Ekati, in February 2021 and now, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta has approved the sale of its stake in Diavik to Rio Tinto.
Under the terms of the transaction, Rio Tinto has acquired all remaining assets held by Dominion, including unsold Diavik production and cash collateral held as security for the costs involved in closing the mine in the future.
Rio Tinto has, in return, released Dominion and its lenders from all outstanding liabilities and obligations.
Related stories will be right here …
The company previously owned 60 percent of the mine and operated it. Dominion Diamond Mines owned the remaining 40 percent.
In April 2020, Dominion was granted insolvency protection under the Canadian Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act.
Dominion sold its other diamond mine, the nearby Ekati, in February 2021 and now, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta has approved the sale of its stake in Diavik to Rio Tinto.
Under the terms of the transaction, Rio Tinto has acquired all remaining assets held by Dominion, including unsold Diavik production and cash collateral held as security for the costs involved in closing the mine in the future.
Rio Tinto has, in return, released Dominion and its lenders from all outstanding liabilities and obligations.
Rio Tinto has operated Diavik since production began in 2003.
The mine is located approximately 186 miles northeast of Yellowknife and employs more than 1,100 people. In 2020, it produced 6.2 million carats of rough diamonds.
Production at Diavik is expected to end in 2025.
Rio Tinto also owned and operated the famed Argyle mine in Australia, which closed last year.
The company said it will retain and manage the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand through a proprietary Argyle pink diamonds trading platform, certification processes, and creative collaborations with its partners.
“Diamonds remain an attractive business for Rio Tinto to be in.” — Sinead Kaufman, Rio Tinto Minerals
Rio Tinto is also the majority owner and manager of a joint venture with Star Diamond Corp., which conducts exploration activities at the FalCon project in central Saskatchewan, Canada, and has signed an exploration joint venture agreement with Endiama, the national diamond mining company of Angola, to evaluate the Chiri kimberlite in the Lunda Sul Province of Angola.
“Diamonds remain an attractive business for Rio Tinto to be in,” said Sinead Kaufman, CEO of Rio Tinto Minerals.
“The market fundamentals for diamonds are robust and we will continue to close Argyle responsibly, retain and manage the Argyle Pink Diamonds brand, operate our high quality, 100-percent owned Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada, and are investing in exploration around the world.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
