About the Victor Mine

Location: 52° 49’ 15” latitude, 83° 53’ 00” longitude, approximately 90 kilometres west of the First Nation community of Attawapiskat in northeastern Ontario
Mine Area: Victor kimberlite has a surface area of 15 hectares
Annual tonne processing capacity: 2.7 million tonnes
Annual carat production capacity: 600,000 carats

Victor Mine Overview

The Victor Mine is located in the James Bay Lowlands of Northern Ontario, approximately 90 km west of the coastal community of Attawapiskat First Nation. It is Ontario’s first diamond mine and the second in Canada for De Beers.

The Victor Mine is an open-pit mine and is one of 18 kimberlite pipes discovered on the property, 16 of which are diamondiferous.

Construction of the Victor Mine began in February 2006 after receiving all necessary approvals from provincial and federal governments.

Approximately $1 billion was spent on construction of the mine, with approximately C$167 million spent with Aboriginal businesses or joint venture partners. It is also estimated that De Beers will contribute C$6.7 billion cumulative GDP impact for all of Ontario during the life of the Victor Mine.

The Victor Mine reached commercial production in 2008 (six months ahead of schedule) and the Official Mine Opening took place in July 2008.

In October 2009, the Victor Mine was voted “Mine of the Year” by the readers of the international trade publication Mining Magazine.

De Beers is committed to sustainable development in local communities The Victor Mine has signed four community agreements for the Victor Mine including:

an IBA with the Attawapiskat First Nation (November 2005),
a Working Relationship Agreement with the Taykwa Tagamou Nation (May 2005),
an IBA with Moose Cree First Nation (September 2008) and
an IBA with Kashechewan and Fort Albany First Nation (February 2009)