Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Project
Encyclopedia
The Gahcho Kué Diamond Project is located on the Canadian tundra
in the Northwest Territories
. It is situated at Kennady Lake (63°26′04"N 109°11′10"W), in the Akaitcho Treaty 8 Territory AK
claim block, which is 85 km (52.8 mi) southeast of the Snap Lake Diamond Mine
Project and approximately 280 km (174 mi) east northeast of Yellowknife. The site is served by an ice runway, Gahcho Kue Aerodrome
, and a spur of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road
from Lupin Mine
. the main camp is at 63°26′05"N 109°12′02"W, north of the ice strip, with a smaller site at 63°25′48"N 109°12′00"W, south of the runway.
Mountain Province claims 49% and De Beers claims 51%.
The project consists of the Gahcho Kué kimberlite pipes
, which lie underneath Kennady Lake. There are also several unexplored kimberlite occurrences scattered over several kilometres.
). Exploration began in the area with a camp being set up in 1995. In 1997, Monopros, now De Beers Canada
, took over the camp when they joined the Mountain Province Mining Joint Venture. In 1998 De Beers began sampling the kimberlite
to evaluate the four Gahcho Kué pipes. More drilling followed and the positive results led to the decision to proceed.
In 2005, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, after an initial environmental assessment, ruled that De Beers applications for a land use permit and water license would require a full Environment Impact Review. De Beers appealed this decision to the NWT Supreme Court, but was denied in April 2007, and the review process began in 2007. Due to economic factors, De Beers has delayed filing the required Environment Impact Statement to the review board; the review process was suspended in May 2010 pending the De Beers submission, which it has now indicated should be after their Feasibility Study is completed.
, a Dene
people, name for the Kennady Lake area and in Dene Suline
means "Place of the Big Rabbit". The area, also known for Barren-ground Caribou
, has been traditionally used by Dene from Lutselk'e
and the Métis
of Fort Resolution
. In earlier times Tli Cho
(Dogrib), also Dene, people used the area as well
Tundra
In physical geography, tundra is a biome where the tree growth is hindered by low temperatures and short growing seasons. The term tundra comes through Russian тундра from the Kildin Sami word tūndâr "uplands," "treeless mountain tract." There are three types of tundra: Arctic tundra, alpine...
in the Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories is a federal territory of Canada.Located in northern Canada, the territory borders Canada's two other territories, Yukon to the west and Nunavut to the east, and three provinces: British Columbia to the southwest, and Alberta and Saskatchewan to the south...
. It is situated at Kennady Lake (63°26′04"N 109°11′10"W), in the Akaitcho Treaty 8 Territory AK
Akaitcho Territory Government
The Akaitcho Territory Government is a First Nations organization representing the Dene people of the Northwest Territories, Canada.-Members:*Deninu Kue First Nation - Fort Resolution*Lutsel K'e Dene First Nation - Lutselk'e...
claim block, which is 85 km (52.8 mi) southeast of the Snap Lake Diamond Mine
Snap Lake Diamond Mine
The Snap Lake Diamond Mine is located about northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and, according to De Beers, was their first mine outside Africa and Canada's first completely underground diamond mine....
Project and approximately 280 km (174 mi) east northeast of Yellowknife. The site is served by an ice runway, Gahcho Kue Aerodrome
Gahcho Kue Aerodrome
Gahcho Kue Aerodrome is located on Kennady Lake, Northwest Territories, Canada. The runway, which is open from January to April, is owned and operated by De Beers Canada and serves the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Project....
, and a spur of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road
Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road
Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road is an annual ice road first built in 1982 to service mines and exploration activities in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Northern Canada. Between long, the road is said to be the world's longest heavy haul ice road and operates for eight to ten weeks...
from Lupin Mine
Lupin Mine
Lupin Mine was a gold mine in Nunavut Territory, Canada. It opened in 1982 and was originally owned and operated by Echo Bay Mines Limited, who in 2003 became a fully owned subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation....
. the main camp is at 63°26′05"N 109°12′02"W, north of the ice strip, with a smaller site at 63°25′48"N 109°12′00"W, south of the runway.
Background
The Gahcho Kué Diamond Project is a 49% / 51% joint-venture between Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. and De Beers Canada Inc.Mountain Province claims 49% and De Beers claims 51%.
The project consists of the Gahcho Kué kimberlite pipes
Gahcho Kué kimberlite pipes
The Gahcho Kué kimberlite pipes is a cluster of Cambrian kimberlite diatremes located northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada. It consists of four pipes: 5034, Hearne, Tuzo and Tesla.-See also:*Volcanism of Canada...
, which lie underneath Kennady Lake. There are also several unexplored kimberlite occurrences scattered over several kilometres.
History
In 1993, Canamera Geological began sampling and surveying the area for Mountain Province Mining Joint Venture (now Mountain Province DiamondsMountain Province Diamonds
Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. is major partner with De Beers in the Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Project in the Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kué is the largest diamond mine under development in the Western hemisphere with an estimated reserve of 50.5 million carats...
). Exploration began in the area with a camp being set up in 1995. In 1997, Monopros, now De Beers Canada
De Beers
De Beers is a family of companies that dominate the diamond, diamond mining, diamond trading and industrial diamond manufacturing sectors. De Beers is active in every category of industrial diamond mining: open-pit, underground, large-scale alluvial, coastal and deep sea...
, took over the camp when they joined the Mountain Province Mining Joint Venture. In 1998 De Beers began sampling the kimberlite
Kimberlite
Kimberlite is a type of potassic volcanic rock best known for sometimes containing diamonds. It is named after the town of Kimberley in South Africa, where the discovery of an diamond in 1871 spawned a diamond rush, eventually creating the Big Hole....
to evaluate the four Gahcho Kué pipes. More drilling followed and the positive results led to the decision to proceed.
Project Development
A project study was started in 2004. An evaluation program in 2006 was followed by a drilling and sampling program in 2007. In September 2009 a feasibility study on a proposed mine was begun, which is anticipated to be completed towards the end of 2010. If it proceeds to a operating mine, is expected to mine 20000000 tonnes (19,684,070.7 LT), out of 31000000 t (30,510,309.5 LT), and to produce 3000000–4000000 carat (600–800 kg) per year over a 15 year life.In 2005, the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board, after an initial environmental assessment, ruled that De Beers applications for a land use permit and water license would require a full Environment Impact Review. De Beers appealed this decision to the NWT Supreme Court, but was denied in April 2007, and the review process began in 2007. Due to economic factors, De Beers has delayed filing the required Environment Impact Statement to the review board; the review process was suspended in May 2010 pending the De Beers submission, which it has now indicated should be after their Feasibility Study is completed.
Traditional use
Gahcho Kué is the traditional ChipewyanChipewyan
The Chipewyan are a Dene Aboriginal people in Canada, whose ancestors were the Taltheilei...
, a Dene
Dene
The Dene are an aboriginal group of First Nations who live in the northern boreal and Arctic regions of Canada. The Dené speak Northern Athabaskan languages. Dene is the common Athabaskan word for "people" . The term "Dene" has two usages...
people, name for the Kennady Lake area and in Dene Suline
Dene Suline language
Dene Suline or Chipewyan is the language spoken by the Chipewyan people of central Canada. It is a part of the Athabaskan family...
means "Place of the Big Rabbit". The area, also known for Barren-ground Caribou
Barren-ground Caribou
Barren-ground Caribou is a subspecies of the caribou that is found mainly in the Canadian territories Nunavut and the Northwest Territories and western Greenland. It sometimes includes the similar porcupine caribou, in which case the barren-ground caribou also is found in Alaska...
, has been traditionally used by Dene from Lutselk'e
Lutselk'e, Northwest Territories
Łutselk'e , also spelt Łutsel K'e, is a "designated authority" in the North Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada...
and the Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
of Fort Resolution
Fort Resolution, Northwest Territories
Fort Resolution is a "settlement corporation" in the South Slave Region of the Northwest Territories, Canada...
. In earlier times Tli Cho
Tli Cho
The Tłįchǫ or Tåîchô First Nation, formerly known as the Dogrib, are a Dene Aboriginal Canadian people living in the Northwest Territories , Canada....
(Dogrib), also Dene, people used the area as well