The operator of the NWT’s Diavik diamond mine says an “area of subsidence” has triggered a suspension of work at one of the mine’s pits.
In a statement to Cabin Radio, mine owner Rio Tinto said subsidence was detected on an access road to Diavik’s A154 pit on Thursday evening.
“All employees are safe, but as a precautionary measure, operations underground have been temporarily suspended in the A154 pit until we have a better understanding of the cause of this event,” a spokesperson stated.
In past technical documents, Diavik has stated that ground stability is particularly important at the mine because it features pits carved out from a large lake through dewatering and the construction of dikes – and underground operations beneath those pits.
Two people with knowledge of Thursday’s incident said workers were sent to the surface once the subsidence had been noticed.
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A154 is one of the two giant pits extending into the lake that appear in almost any shot of Diavik’s iconic footprint.
Mining in A154 began more than 20 years ago. In 2013, what was an open pit became an underground operation.
Diavik, which is about 300 km northeast of Yellowknife, is expected to end active mining and enter closure in 2026.
