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Photo above: Two kimberlite pipes finally joined to create one pit.

Seven years and 67 million tonnes later, the De Beers Victor Mine has connected the two key kimberlite pipes into a single mining operation, on schedule and on budget.

Ontario’s first and only diamond mine, Victor Mine opened in 2008 in the James Bay Lowlands twenty-one years after being discovered, which is the oldest diamond mine discovery in Canada.

The open pit features a total of six connected kimberlites, two of which were diamond-bearing, Victor Main and Victor Southwest. Victor Main was closest to the surface and was the priority for the mining team from the beginning. As mining progressed in the first three years, Victor Southwest became exposed and slowly entered the mining plan according to General Manager James Kirby.

“While we have always had one pit, the mine plan saw one side excavated first to remove the bulk of the Victor Main pipe, which sits higher up in the formation than Victor Southwest,” said Kirby. “We systematically started work on Victor Southwest as it became available and essentially had two teams inside the pit working side by side for the last few years, balancing out the mining and bringing the pit closer to the final connection.”

Senior Mining Manager Brian Kilbride has been with Victor Mine since the start of operations and he says his team’s achievement will not only increase the efficiency of the mine, but enhance the safety for those operating in the pit.

“With the two pipes now connected, we will be able to expand the working area and provide the operators more room to maneuver their haul trucks, excavators and other heavy equipment that handles up to 90 tonnes of material at time,” said Kilbride. “We can also take advantage of having two entry and exit ramps instead of just one, allowing us more options for the vehicles driving to and from the current 120 metre depth where crews are working in the pit.”

De Beers’ Victor Mine employs approximately 600 people and has been recognized with a number of awards since opening, including 2009 International Mine of the Year by Mining Magazine.