First Flight to Gahcho Kué Mine from YYC Calgary International Airport

July 19, 2017   |  

De Beers Canada is pleased to announce the inaugural direct flight from YYC Calgary International Airport to the Gahcho Kué Mine in the Northwest Territories, which is the world’s largest new diamond mine.

The employee charter flight took place yesterday, departing from YYC’s Domestic Terminal - Concourse B, providing De Beers employees flying to and from Gahcho Kué streamlined access to connecting commercial flights across Canada and around the world.

Flights to and from the mine out of YYC’s Domestic Terminal will take place twice per week on a year-round basis. De Beers Canada CEO Kim Truter says this latest company milestone was part of the company’s strategy to enhance the employee experience and provide stronger support to the mine through the De Beers Canada Operational Support Centre which is also located in the airport terminal just a short walk to the departure gates. “Our move to Calgary in July of last year was not only to be closer to our activities in the Northwest Territories, but to establish an Operational Support Centre with seamless access to the our mines in the Northwest Territories and Ontario, as well as our exploration and project initiatives across Canada,” said Truter. “These new direct flights will improve our connectivity, save time and make our team even more efficient.”

“The opening of new International Terminal provided us with the space in our Domestic Terminal to accommodate new business opportunities such as the De Beers workforce charter flights and is a great example of how we continue to grow YYC through diverse air service offerings,” said Bob Sartor, President and CEO of The Calgary Airport Authority. “With 16,000 additional passengers coming through the terminal annually on these flights, the De Beers employees will be able to take advantage of YYC’s extensive route network to connect across the globe or to return home to destinations across Canada.”

Approximately 150 mine-based employees will fly in and out of YYC each week, while De Beers Calgary-based operational support staff of approximately 68 people will regularly use the flights to Gahcho Kué, which is 1,401 km from Calgary.

De Beers Canada established its Canadian Operational Support Centre at YYC Calgary International Airport, officially opening the office in the Calgary International Airport Corporate Centre on July 6, 2016.

“The ability for companies in Calgary to connect to their worksites, their customers and the financial community because of the first-rate transportation networks, in particular, our world-class facilities at YYC Calgary Airport Authority, are one of the main reasons Calgary is so attractive to companies like De Beers Canada. It’s a significant competitive advantage,” said Mary Moran, President and CEO of Calgary Economic Development.

The Gahcho Kué Mine in the Northwest is a joint venture between De Beers Canada (51%), the Operator, and Mountain Province Diamonds (49%). De Beers Canada is a 100% owner and operator of the Victor Mine in northern Ontario, the Mining Magazine 2009 International Mine of the Year and is also the 2015 and 2016 National John T. Ryan Award Winner for Mine Safety. De Beers Canada is also a 100% owner of the Snap Lake Mine in the Northwest Territories, which is currently in extended care and maintenance.

 

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CONTACT

Tom Ormsby
Head of External & Corporate Affairs                
Tel +1 (403) 930 0991 ext 2703
Mob +1 (403) 464 5516
tom.ormsby@debeersgroup.com

ABOUT THE DE   BEERS GROUP OF COMPANIES

De Beers is a member of the Anglo American plc group. Established in 1888, De Beers is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. As part of the company’s operating philosophy, the people of De Beers are committed to ‘Building Forever’ by making a lasting contribution to the communities in which they live and work, and transforming natural resources into shared national wealth. For further information about De Beers, visit its website