As Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond Mine marks its final production this week, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is recognizing its lasting impact while looking to the future of the territory’s economy and workforce.

For more than 20 years, Diavik has been a pillar of the NWT economy, producing over 150 million carats of diamonds, supporting more than 1,100 jobs annually, and contributing nearly 10 per cent of territorial GDP. The mine invested approximately $11.75 billion over its lifespan, including $8 billion in the North, while helping build Indigenous partnerships, local businesses, and a highly skilled northern workforce.

“Diavik helped build today’s Northwest Territories, but now our focus is firmly on tomorrow. This closure is a turning point, and our government is taking action to ensure Northerners are supported through it. We are working with industry, Indigenous governments, and the federal government to connect workers to new opportunities, accelerate major projects, and attract the next generation of investment to the territory. The NWT has what the world needs: critical minerals, energy potential, and a skilled workforce. We are removing barriers, advancing infrastructure, and making it clear that we are open for responsible development. We are now beginning the next phase of our resource economy.”

 - R.J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories

“Diavik set new standards for responsible mining, strong Indigenous and community partnerships, and innovation in the North, and its legacy will continue to shape future projects and opportunities for Northerners. As this mine closes, our message to workers is simple: you are not on your own. The skills developed at Diavik are exactly what employers are looking for. We are focused on supporting people move quickly into their next job through targeted training, employment supports, and direct connections to new opportunities.”

 - Minister Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

“Diavik has set a high standard for responsible development in the North. With a regulator-approved closure and reclamation plan already in place, and years of progressive reclamation underway, this transition is being done with clear care not just for the land and wildlife affected, but for  future generations of Northerners too. The environmental monitoring and knowledge built over more than two decades, including through partnerships with Indigenous governments, will continue to inform stewardship of this region.”

 - Minister Jay Macdonald, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

The GNWT will continue working with partners to manage closure responsibly while supporting workers and communities through the transition. Supports are available at: https://www.gov.nt.ca/en/services/mine-impact-supports