July 17, 2002
ek pass commences operator training at large diamond mine in the Canadian North
Northwest Territories, Canada
ek pass has been commissioned to provide productivity enhancement operator training for shovels and haul trucks to the BHP Billiton Diamond Mine in the Canadian North. This follows boom truck operator training previously delivered at this mine by ek pass forces.
The Ekati Diamond Mine is Canada's first diamond mine. It is located near Lac de Gras 300 kilometres (186 mi) north-east of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and about 200 kilometres (124 mi) south of the Arctic circle.
The mine has produced 40 million carats (8,000 kg / 17,636 lb) of diamonds out of six open pits. As the high grade ore close to surface was depleted, development was completed to access the ore utilizing underground methods. Two of the open pits (Panda and Koala) have been converted to underground mines. It is expected to yield revenues of more than C$500 million a year for at least 25 years. |
