SourcingAug 17, 2023
Rio Tinto to Build Solar Plant to Help Power Diavik SourcingAug 22, 2023
Diamond Companies Support Employees as Canadian Wildfires Rage
Rio Tinto, De Beers and Burgundy all have mines in the Northwest Territories, where wildfires have forced mass evacuations.
An aerial view of one of the wildfires currently burning near Yellowknife in Canada’s Northwest Territories. Yellowknife, the Northwest Territories’ capital city and the largest city near the territory’s three diamond mines, was evacuated late last week. (Photo courtesy of the NWT Fire Facebook page)
Yellowknife, Canada—Diamond miners and manufacturers in Canada are working to aid employees and adjust operations as “unprecedented” wildfires continue to burn across the Northwest Territories, forcing thousands to evacuate.
Yellowknife, the capital of the territory, has a population of about 20,000 and sits on the northern shore of the Great Slave Lake.
Benjamin King, CEO of Diamonds De Canada, a boutique diamond manufacturing firm in Yellowknife, said in a telephone interview Monday that fire is closing in on the city from the west, east and north.
While wildfires happen every year in the Northwest Territories, this year, weather has exacerbated the spread of the blazes.
“This year has been an incredibly dry season for the north, low humidity,” King explained. “Generally speaking, throughout the summer you get a lot of rain on and off and there hasn’t been that. This has been a trend for the past couple years; it’s been a lot drier in the summer.
“This is the first time I think anybody can remember that Yellowknife has been threatened by a fire.”
Residents were ordered to evacuate late last week and King, who splits his time between Yellowknife and the United States, said they complied, except for those who are aiding in the firefighting efforts.
Diamonds De Canada’s facility is closed, as is mining company Rio Tinto’s office in Yellowknife.
Rio Tinto is the sole owner of the Diavik mine, one of three major diamond mines in the Northwest Territories.
A Rio Tinto spokesperson told National Jeweler via email over the weekend that the office will remain shuttered for the foreseeable future.
The mine, which is located about 186 miles northeast of Yellowknife, is not directly threatened by the fire.
Operations are able to continue safely, albeit at a reduced capacity as Rio Tinto works to support and give flexibility to employees who have been evacuated or need to be near their homes or with their families.
The company added, “Rio Tinto has reached out to the government of the Northwest Territories and the City of Yellowknife to offer assistance and is in discussions about the best way we can assist in terms of supplies, equipment or personnel.”
De Beers, which operates the Gahcho Kué mine in partnership with Mountain Province Diamonds, said in a statement last week that while the mine is not directly threatened, the Northwest Territories is home to more than 200 De Beers employees.
Many of them live in communities impacted by the fire; about 30 percent of Gahcho Kué’s workers reside in Yellowknife.
Like Rio Tinto, De Beers said it is working with employees who’ve been affected by evacuations to allow them to be with their families.
It has evacuated employees from its Yellowknife office while operations at Gahcho Kué and ongoing closure activities at De Beers’ inactive mine in the territory, Snap Lake, continue.
The company also said it has donated a total of $70,000 to the United Way NWT Emergency Response Fund to support wildlife relief and is considering how else it can help residents of the area.
Related stories will be right here …
Yellowknife, the capital of the territory, has a population of about 20,000 and sits on the northern shore of the Great Slave Lake.
Benjamin King, CEO of Diamonds De Canada, a boutique diamond manufacturing firm in Yellowknife, said in a telephone interview Monday that fire is closing in on the city from the west, east and north.
While wildfires happen every year in the Northwest Territories, this year, weather has exacerbated the spread of the blazes.
“This year has been an incredibly dry season for the north, low humidity,” King explained. “Generally speaking, throughout the summer you get a lot of rain on and off and there hasn’t been that. This has been a trend for the past couple years; it’s been a lot drier in the summer.
“This is the first time I think anybody can remember that Yellowknife has been threatened by a fire.”
Residents were ordered to evacuate late last week and King, who splits his time between Yellowknife and the United States, said they complied, except for those who are aiding in the firefighting efforts.
Diamonds De Canada’s facility is closed, as is mining company Rio Tinto’s office in Yellowknife.
Rio Tinto is the sole owner of the Diavik mine, one of three major diamond mines in the Northwest Territories.
A Rio Tinto spokesperson told National Jeweler via email over the weekend that the office will remain shuttered for the foreseeable future.
The mine, which is located about 186 miles northeast of Yellowknife, is not directly threatened by the fire.
Operations are able to continue safely, albeit at a reduced capacity as Rio Tinto works to support and give flexibility to employees who have been evacuated or need to be near their homes or with their families.
The company added, “Rio Tinto has reached out to the government of the Northwest Territories and the City of Yellowknife to offer assistance and is in discussions about the best way we can assist in terms of supplies, equipment or personnel.”
De Beers, which operates the Gahcho Kué mine in partnership with Mountain Province Diamonds, said in a statement last week that while the mine is not directly threatened, the Northwest Territories is home to more than 200 De Beers employees.
Many of them live in communities impacted by the fire; about 30 percent of Gahcho Kué’s workers reside in Yellowknife.
Like Rio Tinto, De Beers said it is working with employees who’ve been affected by evacuations to allow them to be with their families.
It has evacuated employees from its Yellowknife office while operations at Gahcho Kué and ongoing closure activities at De Beers’ inactive mine in the territory, Snap Lake, continue.
The company also said it has donated a total of $70,000 to the United Way NWT Emergency Response Fund to support wildlife relief and is considering how else it can help residents of the area.
“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,” said Erik Madsen, the corporate affairs lead for De Beers Group Managed Operations (Canada).
“We are also working closely with our more than 40 Gahcho Kué colleagues who have evacuated from Hay River, Fort Smith, Enterprise, and Jean Marie River.”
Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd., which recently completed its purchase of the Ekati mine, also said while the mine is not currently threatened by the fires, it is aiding impacted employees.
In a statement issued Monday, the company said several Burgundy employees who live in Yellowknife have relocated to cities in Alberta, while a couple of Ekati workers who have specialized emergency response skills are volunteering to help fight the fires.
A majority of the Burgundy workforce flies into the mine from Calgary, Alberta, working a two-week shift then taking two weeks off.
To help those who used Yellowknife as a fly-in point but have had to evacuate, the company said it is allowing for flexible work arrangements and adding additional flights from Edmonton via Calgary that then go on to Ekati.
“Burgundy Diamond Mines remains committed to supporting its people who have been affected by the wildfires and will continue to monitor and provide updates on the wildfire situation,” the company said.
“We will continue to work with the government of the Northwest Territories to assist with wildfire response efforts and supporting those team members who live in evacuated regions.”
As of Monday afternoon, NWT Fire, the informational Facebook page maintained by the government of the Northwest Territories, said the Behchoko/Yellowknife Fire was about 15 km (9 miles) northwest of Yellowknife but was “highly unlikely” to reach the city’s outskirts in the next three days because it has been held at bay thanks to aerial support and rain.
King said it is unknown at this point when people will be allowed to return to Yellowknife. It could be two to three weeks as the government of the Northwest Territories tends to be cautious, particularly since there is only one highway in and out of the city.
He said Diamonds De Canada will resume filling orders as soon as it is able to reopen but customers should expect some delays.
In the meantime, he wants the industry to know about the strength and resilience of the people of the Northwest Territories.
“By nature, being from the North, you’re about as tough as a diamond,” King said. “Despite all the changes the world has thrown at us with climate, the one thing to know about the [people of the] north is, they adapt and they overcome all these difficulties.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Ivette Nersesyan-Stephanopoulos Joins Tiffany & Co.The former De Beers executive is the jewelry house’s new director of high jewelry for the Americas.
MajorsJun 16, 2025
Catbird Names WNBA Star Nyara Sabally as Its New Brand AmbassadorThe New York Liberty forward is the first athlete to represent the Brooklyn-based jewelry brand.
CollectionsJun 13, 2025
Piece of the Week: Robinson Pelham’s Pear EarringsTake a bite out of the 14-karat yellow gold “Fruits of Love Pear” earrings featuring peridots, diamond stems, and tsavorite leaves.
Events & AwardsJun 13, 2025
AGA to Host ‘Diamonds From Mine to Market’ Education ConferenceThe one-day virtual event will feature speakers from De Beers, GIA, and Gemworld International.
EditorsJun 12, 2025
15 Questions With Jewelry Photographer Ella SophieThe California-based creative talks jewelry photography in the modern era and tackles FAQs about working with a pro for the first time.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Vintage Patek Philippe From the ‘50s Sells for $4M at Sotheby’s Al Capone’s pocket watch also found a buyer, though it went for less than half of what it did at auction four years ago.
Events & AwardsJun 12, 2025
Gabriel Love Foundation Introduces Scholarship Honoring Elias GabrielThe foundation has also expanded its “Stronger Together” initiative with Jewelers for Children.
AuctionsJun 12, 2025
Former De Beers Exec Celine Assimon Joins BonhamsAssimon is the auction house’s new chief commercial officer.
EditorsJun 11, 2025
Q&A: Al Cook on Differentiating Natural Diamonds, Traceability, and TariffsThe De Beers Group CEO discusses the company’s new “beacon” program, the likelihood diamonds will be exempt from tariffs, and “Origin.”
MajorsJun 11, 2025
Pandora Bets on Las Vegas for First North American FlagshipThe Danish jewelry giant hosted its grand opening last weekend, complete with a Pandora pink roulette wheel.
