Mining News: Dominion steps up exploration in NWT

Dominion Diamond Corp. April 12 provided an update on its exploration and development pipeline in the Northwest Territories. This includes the advancement of its portfolio of development projects at the Ekati and the Diavik diamond mines and increasing exploration in Lac de Gras, the highly prospective region of Northwest Territories that hosts both operations. "We continue to execute on our long-term strategy and create value for all shareholders. With the support of our strong balance sheet, we are well-positioned to advance a number of key development opportunities and begin reinvestment in near-mine exploration at both Ekati and Diavik," said Dominion Diamond President Jim Gowans. "As an established operator, one of our primary objectives is to leverage our infrastructure advantage in one of the world's most prospective diamond mining districts." This includes a renewed focus on its Ekati property, where no greenfield exploration has taken place since 2006. Dominion said there are 150 known kimberlites on the property, roughly 110 of which have not been extensively tested. The exploration program includes prioritization of the known kimberlites pipes on the Ekati property, and planning for a potential bulk sampling program in fiscal 2019. Diamond drilling is planned on up to six priority targets at Ekati. On the development front, Dominion has several projects in the pipeline at Ekati – Lynx, an open-pit expected to deliver ore to the Ekati process plant in the second quarter of 2018; Sable, where the company is completing an access road and plans to begin pre-stripping in July; Jay, which is in the final stages of permitting; Misery Deep, a resource below the Misery open-pit that is in the pre-feasibility stage of evaluation that could deliver additional high-grade diamond ore to the Ekati mill beyond 2020; and Fox Deep, another underground resource in the pre-feasibility stage that has the potential to significantly extend the life of the Ekati Mine. At Diavik, a mine owned by a joint venture between Dominion (40 percent) and Rio Tinto (60 percent), drilling of three priority kimberlites is planned in 2017. Additionally, the development of the A-21 kimberlite pipe at Diavik continues to progress on time and on budget with the completion of the dike and the start of de-watering expected in late 2017. First ore from A-21 is expected to be delivered to the Diavik mill in 2018.

–SHANE LASLEY