Ontario's first diamond mine wins another major award

De Beers Canada Victor Mine named winner at Ontario Business Achievement Awards

TORONTO, Sept. 21 /CNW/ - The De Beers Canada Victor Mine, Ontario's first and only diamond mine, was honoured last night with the Desjardins Business Excellence Large Business Award at the 28th Annual Ontario Business Achievement Awards hosted by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce in Toronto.

Nominated by the Timmins and Area Chamber of Commerce, the Victor Mine was selected by a panel of judges for its commitment to the local business community and industry best practices, highlighted by its work in developing the mine in a socially and environmentally responsible way.

"Sustainable development in the communities in which we operate is a core value of De Beers Canada," says Chief Operating Officer and Acting CEO Chantal Lavoie. "The Victor Mine has lived that value from day one and the team works extremely hard in growing partnerships that provide local beneficiation and a win-win for everybody. We're proud of their accomplishments."

This is the latest in a series of awards garnered by the De Beers Canada Victor Mine. The Victor Mine has also received the Timmins Chamber of Commerce NOVA Awards for Business of the Year (2009), Marketing and Innovation (2009) and the inaugural President's Award (2010). In 2009, the Victor Mine was named "Mine of the Year" by the international trade publication Mining Magazine.

Mine General Manager Rory Greyvensteyn accepted the award on behalf of the Victor Mine. "This award belongs to our community partners, our business partners and our dedicated team at the Victor Mine. It is truly a reflection of the teamwork required by all stakeholders to ensure we can all shape the future by pulling together."

The De Beers Canada Victor Mine is located in the James Bay Lowlands of northern Ontario and opened in July 2008, reaching full production approximately nine months ahead of schedule. It is a remote fly-in/fly-out operation that employs 500 people, of which approximately 40% are First Nations members. The Victor Mine has signed a number of agreements with local First Nations communities, including three Impact Benefit Agreements.

For further information:

Tom Ormsby
Director, External & Corporate Affairs
De Beers Canada Inc
T: [phone] x 2151
C: [phone]
F: [phone]
[email protected]