Dominion Diamond Corporation is halting processing at its Ekati mine for three months after a June 23 fire.
The blaze did not affect the main structural components of the plant, but did cause damage to a small area. The plant will undergo repairs for three months, after which Dominion will continue operations at full capacity.
In the aftermath of the fire, Dominion is putting lower-value ore mining on hold, but will continue to mine higher-value materials. Additionally, Dominion plans to reduce capital costs by temporarily laying off some staff and deferring non-essential sustaining capital.
“We are taking the most prudent course of action which delivers limited, ongoing mining of higher-value ore, while also taking the necessary steps to make repairs and return to production and preserve capital,” says Brendan Bell, CEO of Dominion.
