De Beers breaks its own mining record

Scouting for mining potential outside Africa, De Beers has steeped foot in Canada, where it recently opened two mines - Snap Lake and Victor Mines. The company broke its record of opening two mines at the same time. These are the first mines of the company outside Africa, with both together estimated to generate about 2 million carats of diamonds a year.

Snap Lake mine, situated in the Northwest Territory of Canada, is the country's first fully underground diamond mine with production of 1.4 million carats a year and an estimated 20 years lifespan. Victor Mine, near Attawapiskat First Nation in northern Ontario, is an open-pit mine, also the first in the Ontario region. It has an annual production of 600,000 carats and a lifespan of around 17 years.

The mines these mines are said to have contributed to uplifting employment, economic growth, business opportunities and skills to Aboriginal communities in Canada. Snap Lake mine will employ 560 people, while Victor - 400 people. De Beers Group Chairman Nicky Oppenheimer, Jonathan Oppenheimer- Chairman at De Beers Canada, De Beers Canada President Jim Gowans and De Beers Group Managing Director Gareth Penny will launch operations at the two mines.

De Beers is also making efforts to open its third mine in South Africa by end 2008, anticipating to break another record of opening three mines in a year.