The Snap Lake Mine is De Beers’ first mine outside of Africa, purchased by the company in 2000. Located 220 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, Snap Lake is Canada’s first completely underground diamond mine.
According to De Beers, the mine’s remote location and extreme weather conditions demand a careful operation of the mine. Travel to the site is only possible by airplane for all but six to eight weeks of the year. A seasonal ice road is used to re-supply the mine with equipment, parts and other materials needed to operate it.
The mine began production on January 16, 2008. By December 31, 2011 $1.98 billion had been spent on construction and operation. Its annual carat production capacity is 1.4 million carats.
