Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Project
The Gahcho Kué Diamond Project is located on the Canadian tundra in the Northwest Territories. It is situated at Kennady Lake (), in the Akaitcho Treaty 8 Territory AK claim block, which is 85 km (53 mi) southeast of the Snap Lake Diamond Mine Project and approximately 280 km (174 mi) east northeast of Yellowknife. The site is served by an ice runwway, Gahcho Kue Aerodrome, and a spur of the Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road from Lupin Mine. the main camp is at , north of the ice strip, with a smaller site at , south of the runway.
Background
The Gahcho Kué Diamond Project is a joint-venture between Mountain Province Diamonds, De Beers Canada and Camphor Ventures.
The project consists of the Gahcho Kué kimberlite pipes, which lie underneath Kennady Lake. There are also several unexplored kimberlite occurrences scattered over several kilometers.
History
In 1993, Canamera Geological began sampling and surveying the area for Mountain Province Mining Joint Venture (now Mountain Province Diamonds). Exploration began in the area with a camp being set up in 1995. In 1997, Monopros, now De Beers Canada, took over the camp when they joined the Mountain Province Mining Joint Venture. In 1998 De Beers began sampling the kimberlite to evaluate the four Gahcho Kué pipes. More drilling followed and the positve results led to the decision to procede.
Current
A project study was started in 2004 followed by permit applications in 2005. Construction of the mine site is expected to start in 2010 with a completion date 0f 2011.
Gahcho Kué, which has a proposed start date of 2012, is expected to mine 20000000 metric tons, out of 31000000 t, and to produce 3000000-4000000 carats per year over its 15 year life.
Traditional use
Gahcho Kué is the traditional Chipewyan, a Dene people, name for the Kennady Lake area and in Dene Suline means "Place of the Big Rabbit". The area, also known for Barren-ground Caribou, has been traditionally used by Dene from Lutselk'e and the Métis of Fort Resolution. In earlier times Tli Cho (Dogrib), also Dene, people used the area as well
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