 Jericho Diamond Mine from the air | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
  Jericho Diamond Mine Location  Jericho Diamond Mine Jericho Diamond Mine (Canada) | |
| Territory | Nunavut |
| Country | Canada |
| Coordinates | 65°59′50″N 111°28′30″W / 65.99722°N 111.47500°W |
| History | |
| Opened | 2006 |
| Closed | 2008 |
| Owner | |
| Company | Shear Diamonds Ltd. |
| Website | www.sheardiamonds.com/jericho.html |
| Year of acquisition | 2010 |
The Jericho Diamond Mine is a dormant diamond mine located in Canada's Nunavut territory. Jericho is Nunavut’s first and only diamond mine. It is located 420 km (260 mi) northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories and is accessible by air all year and by winter road from Yellowknife. The project was mined from 2006 to 2008, and produced 780,000 carats (156 kg; 344 lb) of diamonds from 1,200,000 tonnes (1,200,000 long tons; 1,300,000 short tons) of kimberlite mined from the open pit operation. Over $200 million was invested in the development of the Jericho operations including the construction of a 2,000 t (2,000 long tons; 2,200 short tons) per day diamond recovery plant, maintenance facility, fuel farm, and offices and accommodation for 225 personnel.
On July 19, 2010 Shear Diamonds (née Shear Minerals Ltd) (TSX-V: SRM), a diamond exploration company focused on the Nunavut region, announced its purchase of the Jericho Diamond Mine.[1] In late 2010, Shear announced that it would take about a year to devise a plan to reopen the mine.[2] Shear began processing the existing recovery reject pile in early 2012, selling the recovered stones to Belgian diamond firm Taché,[3] which provided a revolving line of credit. However, operations were suspended in September, as Shear, citing "limited funds and significant operations", has sought to minimize expenditures. Taché has given notice of default on certain covenants of their investment agreement, but is working with Shear to find funding or a purchaser.[4]
- ^ Press release announcing sale
- ^ "Shear plans to reopen mine". Archived from the original on 2010-12-29. Retrieved 2011-01-08.
- ^ "Nunavut's 1st diamond mine could re-open". CBC.ca. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
- ^ jewelryne.ws. 23 October 2012 https://archive.today/20130421225438/http://www.jewelryne.ws/shear-diamonds-updates-financial-and-operational-status-continues-to-seek-transaction-to-allow-project-to-advance/. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
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