De Beers Canada spent $296 million last year on construction and operations at its Snap Lake diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, bringing its total investment to $1.235 billion.
The figure is part of the company’s “2008 Snap Lake Socio-economic Report,” which summarizes the project’s economic, social, and cultural well-being.
Other highlights include:
• $218.7 million spent with Northwest Territories businesses, as well as $132.9 million spent with northern Aboriginal businesses or joint ventures;
• a growth in workforce to 274 people following the transition from construction to operations, bringing the company close to the target forecasted during the environmental assessment;
• news of 15 trade trainees, six apprentices, and 13 underground mine trainees who are now participating in northern training and development initiatives;
• $1.9 million spent on corporate and social investment, $1.2 million of which was spent on training and capacity-building initiatives for local residents;
• the sixth anniversary celebration of the De Beers Books in Homes Literacy initiative, which has delivered more than 17,000 books to local children in communities near the mine; and
• the opening of De Beers Canada’s cultural centre at Snap Lake.
“In 2008 we finished construction and commissioning of the underground crusher and conveyor system, we commenced commercial production in the first quarter, and we celebrated the official opening of the Snap Lake Mine with close to 200 special guests in July,” said Chantal Lavoie, the company’s chief operating officer. “Our employees did an amazing job in 2008 and their resilience is bringing us through the turbulent times of 2009.”
