ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN ONLY NATURAL DIAMONDS NATURALDIAMONDS.COM
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
BY GRANT MOBLEY
MILLION-DOLLAR RAVEN
Canada is the world’s third-largest producer of diamonds. Most are found in the Northwest Territories. In this pristine environment, you can find Canada’s first diamond mine, Ekati, which officially started recovering diamonds in 1998. Speaking with mine employees, government officials, locals, and indigenous community leaders, the common thread among them was pride. Proud that the most desirable luxury good on earth comes from their backyard and is recovered in a way that sets an example for mining industries worldwide. Jonas Sangris recalls when diamonds were first discovered in the area. Sangris was Chief of the Dene people at the time of the first diamond discovery in Canada and took part in the negotiations to open the mines. Working together with all the stakeholders involved, they outlined plans for how the mine would operate with respect to the indigenous people and environment. Canada’s diamond mines are now recognized as global leaders in sustainability and managing environmental and social risks. Before a diamond mining project can begin, an independent board completes a comprehensive assessment to mitigate environmental impacts through various tools and measures.
A geologist once told me, “Everything not grown on Earth is mined.” The raw materials for nearly everything we use are excavated from the earth. Whether it is your cell phone, computer, the sheetrock in your house, or the pipes in your walls, these items and countless others are made from materials extracted from the ground. So, how do we continue to live in a world where mining is essential without negatively impacting our natural environment? Diamond miners have shown it’s possible.
58 FREDRIC H. RUBEL MAGAZINE
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