Yellowknife — July 15, 2026
Yesterday, a Court Order placed the Ekati Mine into Receivership and appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. as Receiver.
The Receivership follows the conclusion of a court-supervised restructuring and sale process initiated by Arctic Canadian Diamond Company Ltd. and Burgundy Diamonds (Canada) Ltd. (the “Companies”) under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act. The sales process did not result in a viable solution to allow continued operation of the Ekati mine. The Companies no longer have funding and as a result, the GNWT made an application to appoint a Receiver to assume responsibility of the mine site’s assets and activities. The GNWT will advance funds to the Receiver using the Companies’ reclamation security to fund the reclamation and closure of the site during the Receivership.
The Receiver is on-site at Ekati and is overseeing activities to ensure site stability, safety and environmental protection. The Receiver is responsible for maintaining essential functions at the site, protecting environmental controls, supporting an orderly transition, and ensuring environmental and regulatory obligations continue to be managed through the appropriate processes.
The GNWT is committed to ensuring that environmental monitoring, water management, site security and other critical activities continue without interruption. Technical experts, regulators and Indigenous Governments will continue to play important roles as the site transitions into care and maintenance, reclamation and closure.
The GNWT is also committed to supporting Northern workers, contractors, suppliers, and local businesses. The GNWT has directed the Receiver to ensure the continued participation of northern and Indigenous workers and businesses where appropriate, and in line with the court order.
Quote(s)
“The GNWT will continue to uphold its responsibilities to protect the land, water and public interest. Environmental and regulatory obligations remain in place, and we will continue to work through the appropriate legal and regulatory processes to ensure those obligations are managed."
- Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Right now, our priority is people. Workers, families and businesses need clear information, practical support and confidence that they are not being left to navigate this alone. The GNWT will help impacted workers and businesses access available supports, services and opportunities."
- Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment and Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment
Quick facts
- The GNWT holds $326m to fund care and maintenance, reclamation and closure.
- There is an interim closure and reclamation plan for the Site. Work is underway to define final approaches to reclamation.
Related links
- Career, employment, training and small business supports
- Wek'èezhìi Land and Water Board
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
For media requests, please contact:
ECC Communications
Department of Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
