SourcingJul 17, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Diamond Production Down 28% in Q2SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s Life
Commercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
A sampling of rough diamonds from the Diavik Diamond Mine, which is located in Canada’s Northwest Territories and owned by Rio Tinto. Rio Tinto just announced that commercial production has begun underground at the mine’s A21 pipe.
Yellowknife, Canada—The first phase of commercial production has begun at Diavik’s A21 underground mine, Rio Tinto announced late last week.
The A21 pipe opened in 2018. It was the last pipe commissioned at the Diavik Diamond Mine and has operated as an open-pit mine, until now.
The transition to underground production will be rolled out in two phases.
Rio Tinto approved the first phase in February 2023, investing $40 million in the project.
It authorized the second phase earlier this year, sinking an additional $17 million into underground operations at A21.
Rio Tinto said the construction of the A21 underground mine involved the development of more than 1,800 meters (a little over a mile) of underground tunnels to access the orebody.
It noted there were no lost-time injuries during the 20 months it took to construct the tunnels.
Diavik Chief Operating Officer Matt Breen said, “The A21 underground operation is positive news for our employees, partners, suppliers, and local communities in the Northwest Territories, as it will enable operations to continue through to closure.
“Rio Tinto’s decision to proceed with phase two is a testament to the excellent performance of our Diavik team in successfully developing the underground mine beneath the previously mined A21 open pit.”
Related stories will be right here …
The A21 pipe opened in 2018. It was the last pipe commissioned at the Diavik Diamond Mine and has operated as an open-pit mine, until now.
The transition to underground production will be rolled out in two phases.
Rio Tinto approved the first phase in February 2023, investing $40 million in the project.
It authorized the second phase earlier this year, sinking an additional $17 million into underground operations at A21.
Rio Tinto said the construction of the A21 underground mine involved the development of more than 1,800 meters (a little over a mile) of underground tunnels to access the orebody.
It noted there were no lost-time injuries during the 20 months it took to construct the tunnels.
Diavik Chief Operating Officer Matt Breen said, “The A21 underground operation is positive news for our employees, partners, suppliers, and local communities in the Northwest Territories, as it will enable operations to continue through to closure.
“Rio Tinto’s decision to proceed with phase two is a testament to the excellent performance of our Diavik team in successfully developing the underground mine beneath the previously mined A21 open pit.”
Located in Canada’s Northwest Territories, less than 150 miles south of the Arctic Circle, the Diavik Diamond Mine opened in 2003 and has produced more than 144 million carats of diamonds in the 21 years since.
It is one of three remaining active diamond mines in Canada, alongside Ekati (owned by Burgundy Diamond Mines) and Gahcho Kué (owned by De Beers Group).
Diavik consists of four kimberlite pipes: the aforementioned A21, plus A154 North, A154 South, and A418.
The original life-of-mine plan for Diavik forecast that it would close in 2025, but the two phases of underground mining at A21 are expected to extend the mine’s life into the first quarter of 2026.
Meanwhile, Rio Tinto said it’s begun investing in Diavik’s closure and remediation of the land, focusing on site clean-up, equipment procurement, and other closure readiness efforts.
Earlier this year, the company announced it had completed construction on a solar power plant at Diavik that will provide as much as 25 percent of the power the mine will need for closure work.
The plant’s solar panels are bi-facial, meaning they generate energy from both direct sunlight and light reflecting off snow, which covers the ground in that area most of the year.
More on Sourcing
The Latest
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
