De Beers’ Victor Mine Shuts Its Doors

RAPAPORT… De Beers has sent out the final ore-haul truck from its
Victor mine in Canada, exactly 11 years to the day after the site’s opening.



The last load was driven by Nancy Wesley, who has worked as
a haul-truck driver, dozer operator and production-drill operator at the mine
since it opened, the company said last week.


During the course of its operation, the mine was expanded
from a 5-meter stretch to a pit measuring 1 kilometer long and 1 kilometer across. The only diamond mine in the Ontario region, Victor produced more than 8
million carats throughout its lifecycle, over 33% more than its original
forecast of 6 million carats. In 2018, the mine had a record output of 935,000
carats, 58% higher than its guidance for the year.


Since 2008, approximately 900,000 truckloads have moved more
than 88 million tonnes of rock and ore from the deposit. It has won several awards.


De Beers will continue to process stockpiled ore at the site
until early May, it noted.

“I’m extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish in that pit,” said Brian Kilbride,
senior mining manager at the Victor mine. 


Image: The Victor mine. (De Beers Canada)