SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeSourcingApr 03, 2025
Canadian Mine Produces 158-Carat Yellow Diamond
Rio Tinto unearthed the diamond at its Diavik mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
The Diavik Diamond Mine, which is located about 200 km (124 miles) south of the Arctic Circle in Canada’s Northwest Territories, yielded this 158.2-carat yellow diamond. It is one of the largest yellow diamond the 22-year-old mine has ever produced.
Yellowknife, Canada—Rio Tinto announced this week that it recovered a 158.2-carat yellow diamond from Diavik, its diamond mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories.
The mining company said the giant gem is one of only five yellow diamonds weighing more than 100 carats ever unearthed at Diavik, noting that finding any yellow diamonds at the mine is a rare occurrence. Yellow diamonds account for less than 1 percent of the mine’s production.
The 158-carat stone also is one of the biggest gem-quality yellow diamonds found in Canada; the largest is the 552.74-carat yellow diamond discovered at Diavik in 2018.
That diamond also holds the title of largest diamond ever found in North America.
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The mining company said the giant gem is one of only five yellow diamonds weighing more than 100 carats ever unearthed at Diavik, noting that finding any yellow diamonds at the mine is a rare occurrence. Yellow diamonds account for less than 1 percent of the mine’s production.
The 158-carat stone also is one of the biggest gem-quality yellow diamonds found in Canada; the largest is the 552.74-carat yellow diamond discovered at Diavik in 2018.
That diamond also holds the title of largest diamond ever found in North America.
“This 2-billion-year-old natural Canadian diamond is a miracle of nature and testament to the skill and fortitude of all the men and women who work in Diavik’s challenging sub-Arctic environment,” said Matt Breen, who took over as the mine’s chief operating officer in December 2023.
The Diavik Diamond Mine opened in 2003.
The original life-of-mine plan for Diavik called for the mine to operate through 2025, but Rio Tinto has invested millions in going underground on one of the mine’s four kimberlite pipes, A21.
The first phase of commercial production at A21underground began late last year and is expected to extend the mine’s life into early 2026.
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