Diavik Diamond Mine Closes

The Diavik Diamond Mine has closed after two decades of operation.

In the 1990s, commercial diamond mining began around Lac de Gras in the Northwest Territories of Canada. For years, the Diavik Diamond Mine (bottom) and Ekati Diamond Mine (top) produced a combined ~15 million carats of diamonds annually — roughly 6,600 pounds (3,000 kg).

On March 24, 2026, Diavik officially ceased operations after more than two decades of production. The final frame shows a close-up view of the site, including its two primary open pits, waste ponds, processing facilities, and an airstrip capable of handling aircraft as large as 737s and C-130s — all now transitioning into closure and reclamation.

Source imagery: Google Timelapse / Vantor