Snap Lake ramps up production

Panorama

De Beers Canada has announced plans to ramp-up production at its Snap Lake mine in the North West Territories, with full production targeted for the end of 2012.

The ramp-up has already commenced and will result in the creation of an additional 175 operational positions at the mine site by the end of 2010, as well as a four fold increase in production.

A construction project to complete a permanent accommodation complex for employees is also underway. The camp’s construction was put on hold in 2008 as part of the company’s response to the economic slowdown. The project will see an additional 30 construction workers assemble the newly constructed modular units at Snap Lake between February and October 2010.

“Our decision to increase production is consistent with our business strategy to align production with global demand,” said Jim Gowans, president and CEO. “Although our industry might not see the same sales levels in the next few years that we enjoyed in 2007 and early 2008, we anticipate a steady growth in demand over the next three or four years, and the long term looks bright.”

Building on the company’s commitment to train and develop a skilled northern workforce, De Beers has also been accredited to certify underground mine employees at the Snap Lake mine to the Ontario Common Core standard.

De Beers is partnering with the Mine Training Society, Aurora College and the GNWT Department of Education, Culture and Employment to enhance the current underground mine training program in the North West Territories. The first intake of students that will achieve this new certification will take place in January 2010.

De Beers Canada currently employs 440 people at the Snap Lake mine, of which 44% are local residents. The mine officially opened in July 2008 and will employ 634 people at full production by 2012.