The Gahcho Kué diamond mine received its third major award last week, as the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) presented the Viola R. MacMillan Award during the PDAC Awards Gala, held in conjunction with its annual international convention. The award, for demonstrating leadership in management and financing for the exploration and development of mineral resources, was accepted by Gahcho Kué mine General Manager Allan Rodel, on behalf of De Beers Canada, and Patrick Evans, CEO of Mountain Province Diamonds. Gahcho Kué is a joint venture between De Beers (51% – the operator) and Mountain Province. The mine officially began commercial production on March 2, 2017.
“To build and bring into operation a world-class mine like Gahcho Kué safely, early and ahead of budget is rare in the mining industry today,” said Kim Truter, CEO – De Beers Canada. “This award is recognition that we are on the right track and that our employees, community and business partners are also able to deliver on a world-class level.”
Mountain Province President and CEO Patrick Evans added: “This award recognizes the combined efforts of a large and talented team of mining and finance professionals who contributed to the successful financing and development of Gahcho Kué. The support of our shareholders and debt providers was critically importantly. We also extend our thanks and appreciation to the De Beers operating team at Gahcho Kué for their exceptional hard work during the project development.”
“I am extremely proud of the work done by every member of the team at Gahcho Kué,” said Rodel. “We work in some of the most difficult conditions found anywhere in the world, and we have achieved so many important milestones safely, without harm to people or the environment.”
In 2016, Gahcho Kué received Gold at the 11th Annual Project Management Institute’s awards gala as well as the Workplace Health and Safety Award from the Yellowknife Chamber of Commerce.
The fly-in/fly-out remote mine site is situated approximately 280 km northeast of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada. Comprising three open pits, the mine will employ 530 people full-time, with the majority working a two-week in/two-week out rotation.
In addition to a C$440 million boost to the NWT economy through 2015, the Gahcho Kué mine will provide a further C$5.3 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the NWT now that it has reached commercial production, according to a socio-economic impact report by EY.
