Burgundy Diamond Mines has announced that production from one of the high-value pits at its Ekati deposit is likely to continue beyond the previously anticipated end date of 2026.
Recent drilling results from the Misery region, which is transitioning from an open pit to an underground mine, indicate a larger ore body than originally estimated. According to the company, all drill holes have intersected with the kimberlite pipe earlier than expected. Additionally, the testing has revealed a fancy-yellow diamond in the core, situated below the last planned mining level and outside previous models.
Burgundy Diamond Mines’ CEO, Kim Truter, stated, “The results from our current drilling program suggest that the Misery pipe, a high-value ore source requiring minimal development capital, will likely remain in production well past the original 2026 deadline.”
The company will also begin testing the southwest extension of the main ore body, an area previously not included in the mine plan but believed to contain diamonds. This testing is scheduled for the fourth quarter.
Burgundy plans to release an updated mine plan in the first quarter of 2025. Preliminary expectations suggest that the newly identified areas could extend the production timeline through 2040, surpassing the original 2028 closure date. Ekati is one of three mines in Canada’s Northwest Territories, all of which were projected to close before 2030. Last year, Rio Tinto invested $40 million to extend the Diavik mine’s operations until 2026, while Gahcho Kué, a joint venture between De Beers and Mountain Province, recently extended its lifespan to 2031, up from the previous 2030 estimate.
