De Beers Canada ramps up production at Snap Lake

by eyetee | January 4, 2010 12:00 am

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Production at De Beers Canada’s Snap Lake Mine is expected to reach full production levels by the end of 2012, the company announced.

The move will see the creation of 175 additional operations positions at the Northwest Territories mine by December, as well as re-commencement of construction on a permanent accommodation complex for employees between now and October. Work on the building came to a halt in 2008 in response to the economic slowdown.

“Our decision to increase production is consistent with our business strategy to align production with global demand,” said company president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jim Gowans. “Although our industry might not see the same sales levels in the next few years that we enjoyed in 2007 and early 2008, we anticipate a steady growth in demand over the next three or four years, and the long term looks bright.”

De Beers Canada also announced a new training initiative to certify Northwest Territories residents in underground mining to the Ontario Common Core standard. The company is partnering with the Mine Training Society, Aurora College, and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Department of Education, Culture, and Employment.

Students taking NWT underground mine training programs in 2010 will be required to complete a 12-week practical component as a De Beers employee under the guidance of its trainers, who will test and certify them to the Ontario Common Core standard.

“Offering training and certification that includes nationally recognized standards will give NWT residents who come through this training program increased recognition of their skills from mines across the country,” said Hilary Jones, general manager for the Mine Training Society. “This partnership is something that is going to put the NWT on the map as a great place to live and work as a miner, and as a great place for underground mine training.”

The first round of students began receive training under the initiative last month.

About 440 people work at the Snap Lake mine, 44 per cent of which are NWT residents. By the time it reaches full production in 2012, the mine is expected have 634 employees.

Source URL: https://www.jewellerybusiness.com/news/de-beers-canada-ramps-up-production-at-snap-lake/

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