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Diamond exploration work at Snap Lake dates back to 1995, when Winspear Resources Ltd. began exploration. Winspear discovered the kimberlite diamond deposit in 1997 and started an Advanced Exploration Program to evaluate the deposit and its potential to become an operating mine.
De Beers bought Winspear in the fall of 2000 and continued work to outline the size, thickness and depth of the kimberlite deposit and its potential to be mined. A subsequent optimization study called for full scale mining to begin in the middle of 2007 and full production in 2008.
In February 2001, De Beers submitted an application to the Mackenzie Valley Land and Water Board (MVLWB) for a Type A Land Use Permit and a Class A Water License. The application was screened, then referred to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board in May 2001. Permits required to build and operate the mine were received on May 31, 2004.
Construction on the $975 million project began with the opening of the winter road in February 2005. By June 31, 2008 $1.1 billlion had been spent on both the construction of the operation of the mine. Of that total, $775.8 million was spent with NWT-based contractors and suppliers, including $520.7 million with Aboriginal businesses or Joint Ventures.
The first year of construction saw completion of the majority of the mine’s access roads, construction of the starter cell perimeter dykes and divider dyke for the North Pile and completion of all ground excavation for the utilities building, process plant and services complex. During the winter, lean crete pads that were built on the bedrock, and concrete pedestals to support the grade beams were poured.
By the end of 2005, the first of three 12 million litre fuel tanks was erected in a lined, bermed area, the airstrip was expanded to allow the landing of Hercules C-130 and 737 jet aircraft and the new water intake station and pump house were constructed. Other work included a mine dewatering pipeline and installation of lines from the water treatment plant site to the outfall diffuser.
Due to one of the warmest winters on record in the Northwest Territories, the 2006 ice road season was cut short, and 600 loads destined for Snap Lake could not be transported to site. A massive airlift was needed to deliver materials and supplies.
Construction in 2006 included expansion of temporary accommodations and erection of the utilities building, process plant and services building. Wiring and other work inside took take place during the winter. Late in the year, two more 12 million litre fuel tanks were constructed.
Underground, work to build the conveyor tunnel and four access points to the tunnel advanced. The conveyor decline was completed in November 2006.
After a successful 2007 winter road season that saw 2,200 loads trucked to the Snap Lake Mine, the sewage treatment plant and water treatment plant were commissioned by spring. In the process plant, recovery modules from South Africa were installed, as were the scrubber and high pressure rolls crusher.
The process plant began commissioning in late August, with first diamonds recovered on August 22. In the utilities building, commissioning of all four main diesel generators was completed by September.
In 2008, work continuing on the underground conveying and crushing system, which was completed in the spring. The mine has achieved commencement of commercial production and is now ramping up to full production.
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