23 March 2010
Winter road resupply complete
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine in Canada's Northwest Territories, is pleased to report its 2010 winter road resupply was completed safely and successfully March 21. It is expected that the road will officially close March 24. These dates are similar to last year when the resupply was completed March 22 and the road officially closed March 25.
Similar to previous years, the 2010 winter road opened February 4.
With no all-season road access, Diavik resupplies the Diavik Diamond Mine via a seasonal ice road open each year for approximately two months. This year, Diavik trucked 1,344 loads (39,778 tonnes) of fuel, cement, explosives, equipment, and other materials, over the winter road.
Initially, cold winter temperatures resulted in good ice conditions. Milder temperatures in February and the first half of March would result in a period of approximately ten days when road use was restricted to night dispatch only in order to maintain the portages.
Overall, all winter road users completed their resupply as planned. In total, 3,506 loads (121,000 tonnes) were transported northbound over this year's winter road with 424 backhauls.
The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road, managed by a joint venture committee, which includes Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. and De Beers Canada Inc., is committed to constructing, operating, and maintaining the winter road in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. More information on the winter road can be found at: http://jvtcwinterroad.ca/.
The Diavik Diamond Mine is located 300 km. northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and is an unincorporated joint venture between DDMI (60%) and Harry Winston Diamond Limited Partnership (40%). Both companies are headquartered in Yellowknife, Canada. DDMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc of London, England, and Harry Winston Diamond Limited Partnership is controlled by Harry Winston Diamond Corporation of Toronto, Canada. DDMI is the operator of the mine. For further information contact Doug Ashbury, Acting Principal Adviser, Communications at Tel: (867) 669-6525, or visit the www.diavik.ca.