Canadian Diamond Mines

Both the Ekati and Diavik mines are located in the pristine arctic wilderness of Canada's Northwest Territories some 350 miles south of the Arctic Ocean. The Ekati diamond mine (below, right) is Canada's first diamond mining operation. It is located on Lac de Gras, in the Northwest Territories, Canada. Prospector Chuck Fipke discovered the Lac de Gras kimberlite pipes in 1991.

Ekati means "Caribou Fat Lake" in the language native to the Dog-Rib Indians of the Northwest Territories (NWT). The Ekati mine began operations on October 14 1998. The Ekati Diamond Mine now produces an average of three million carats of rough diamonds every year.

Diamonds from the Ekati mines are found in 45 to 62 million year old kimberlite pipes which lie directly underneath shallow lakes formed in inactive volcanic calderas or craters (crater lakes). Diamonds from the Ekati Mine are sold under the trade name "Aurias" and their authenticity is verified through the "CanadaMark" service, operated by BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. BHP Billiton Group is the world's largest diversified resources company.

The Ekati Mine laser-engraves the girdle of each diamond with the Ekati logo and a unique serial number signifying its authenticity and Canadian origin. The laser-engraving is only visible under magnification and using special light filters (see simulation above, right).