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NWT Leaders reflect on Diavik Diamond Mine closure
'This closure is a turning point, and our government is taking action to ensure Northerners are supported through it,' says Premier R.J. Simpson
As the Diavik Diamond Mine approaches its final days of production, several Northwest Territories leaders have shared their thoughts on the facility’s long history.
Over its twenty-year history, the Diavik Mine has created more than 1,100 jobs annually, and produced around $11.75 billion to the NWT economy.
In his statements, Premier R.J. Simpson stated in a release that the Mine has helped to build the NWT into what it is today, and the Territory is now changing its focus onto what comes next.
“This closure is a turning point, and our government is taking action to ensure Northerners are supported through it. We are working with industry, Indigenous governments, and the federal government to connect workers to new opportunities, accelerate major projects, and attract the next generation of investment to the territory. The NWT has what the world needs: critical minerals, energy potential, and a skilled workforce.”
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- Exceptional yellow diamond unearthed at Diavik mine. (Photo courtesy of Rio Tinto)
Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment, Caitlin Cleveland, stated that the Mine set new standards for responsible mining, and created strong Indigenous and community partnerships.
“Its legacy will continue to shape future projects and opportunities for Northerners. As this mine closes, our message to workers is simple: you are not on your own. The skills developed at Diavik are exactly what employers are looking for. We are focused on supporting people move quickly into their next job through targeted training, employment supports, and direct connections to new opportunities.”
Finally, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Jay Macdonald, stated that Diavik represented a high standard for responsible development.
“With a regulator-approved closure and reclamation plan already in place, and years of progressive reclamation underway, this transition is being done with clear care not just for the land and wildlife affected, but for future generations of Northerners too. The environmental monitoring and knowledge built over more than two decades, including through partnerships with Indigenous governments, will continue to inform stewardship of this region.”
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- Diavik Diamond Mine uses a combination of open pit and underground mining. As of September 2025, Diavik was the first diamond mine in Canada to achieve 150 million carats of rough diamond production, surpassing the original expectations in the late 1990s of just over 100 million carats. (Photo: Rio Tinto/Diavik)
