Snap Lake Diamond Mine Snap Lake Diamond Mine Snap Lake Mine is a remote fly-in/fly-out operation located about northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and, according to De Beers, was the first De Beers mine outside of Africa. It was also Canada's first completely underground diamond mine. Construction began with the opening of an access winter road in 2005. By the end of 2013, De Beers had spent US$1.8 billion on construction and mine operation. Of that total, De Beers spent US$1.3 billion with Northwest Territories-based contractors and suppliers, including US$723 million with Aboriginal businesses or joint ventures. The mine began commercial production on January
Letlhakane diamond mine Letlhakane diamond mine The Letlhakane diamond mine is a diamond mine located in Botswana about west of the city of Francistown. Letlhakane, meaning "little reeds", is owned by Debswana, a partnership between the De Beers company and the government of Botswana. It is the second oldest of four mines operated by the company, having begun operations in 1975. Letlhakane is of open pit construction. In 2003, the mine produced 1.06 million carats (212 kg) of diamond. The recoverable ore grade at the mine was about 0.26 carats (52 mg) per ton. The ore produced at Letlhakane used to be processed