The long-established Diavik diamond mine in the N.W.T. is ceasing its operations to shift focus towards remediation efforts. Located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, the mine, owned by Rio Tinto, has been in production for numerous years, extracting over 150 million carats of diamonds. On Tuesday, the mine permanently closed its operations, where hundreds of individuals, including Sean Sinclair, who hails from Ontario, have been employed over the years.
Sinclair, who has resided in the territory for more than ten years, started with Diavik while pursuing his master’s degree and has since progressed to the role of closure manager at the mine. Notably, he met his wife in Yellowknife, who also works at Diavik, expressing their commitment to staying in the area despite the mine’s closure.
Similarly, Mike Lowing, a principal adviser for health, safety, and environment, who has been a resident of Yellowknife since 1974, emphasized the city’s promising future despite the challenges posed by the closure of diamond mines. With Diavik’s closure impacting various communities in the region, the recent announcement of a $35-billion investment plan by Prime Minister Mark Carney for the North offers potential opportunities for individuals like Lowing in upcoming projects.
As the Diavik mine concludes its operations, Alex Clinton, a senior adviser at the mine, advocates for the continuation of mining activities in the region, particularly emphasizing the potential in gold mining. With a history of gold mining in Yellowknife, including recent developments like the reopening of the Mon Mine by Sixty North Gold, there is a renewed interest in gold mining due to the rising demand and record-breaking gold prices in early 2026. Clinton, who has resided in Yellowknife for an extended period, aims to continue contributing to the mining industry in the North, hoping for opportunities for his children in the same sector.