Report: Diavik Diamond Mines Inc to Axe 51 Jobs

(IDEX Online) – Diavik Diamond Mines Inc has axed 51 jobs at the Diavik diamond mine in Canada's North West Territories.

"Unfortunately, with the current market challenges, we have had to reduce the number of employees in our business," said Marc Cameron, president of Diavik Diamond Mines Inc, CBC News reported.

The company fired 13 full-time employees in late October.

The latest move is another blow to North West Territories whose economy is heavily dependent on the operations of mining companies.

Dominion Diamond Corp announced earlier this month that it was transferring its headquarters to Calgary from Yellowknife which will affect 100 jobs. Dominion owns 40 percent of Diavik and operates the Ekati diamond mine in which it has a controlling interest.

Meanwhile, last December, De Beers Canada closed its Snap Lake diamond mine, laying off 434 employees. Of that number, 96 were transferred to the Gahcho Kue diamond mine which was officially opened in September.