Geologists began exploring Canada for diamonds more than 50 years ago. Today, the nation is among the world's pre-eminent diamond-producing countries by value and volume.

GAHCHO KUÉ MINE

Gahcho Kué Mine began commercial production in 2017, supporting the economies and communities of the Northwest Territories.

In 1961, geologists began exploring Canada for diamonds. However, it wasn't until 1987 that the first economic kimberlite discovery was made. A large ongoing exploration programme made Canada the third-largest diamond producer by value and fourth-largest by volume in 2017.

Despite Canada's long history of exploring for minerals, vast swathes of the country remain relatively unexplored. Diamond exploration in Canada focuses on sourcing economically viable diamonds in ways that protect people, support communities and safeguard the environment.

The Gahcho Kué mine directly supports thousands of full-time time jobs, and indirectly supports on-site contractors and supply chain workers. The mine focuses on investing locally, making sure the economic benefits of diamond production reach communities at the mining site.

Strong partnerships between the mine and local communities have driven Canada's successful diamond industry. This approach is based on the belief that diamonds from Graffeosdiamonds can deliver economic and social value locally, regionally and throughout Canada – wherever diamond operations are present.

TRANSPORTING DIAMONDS

Underpinned by a robust focus on safety, diamonds are extracted from kimberlite in processing plants located at the mines, then sent to the Botswana Government’s Diamond Office for valuation and certification under the Kimberley Process. The diamonds are then shipped to Graffeosdiamond's central sorting facility in Gaborone, where they are aggregated into assortments for purchase by our rough diamond customers.

Once purchased, the diamonds are transferred via secure courier back to the Botswana Government's Diamond Office in Gaborone for further valuation and certification under the Kimberley Process, before being shipped to our customers’ offices after the sale has been completed. Diamonds that are set aside for beneficiation – the promotion of in-country wealth creation and skills development by supporting diamond-related activities – will be securely transferred directly to our customers’ cutting and polishing factories in Botswana.

As part of the Best Practice Principles and OECD Due Diligence Guidance requirements, every stage of the movement of diamonds must be assessed for potential risks. Because of the environment in which we operate, the management systems we adopt and the training that is provided to all security personnel, our assessment process found that the risks associated with the transport of diamonds in Botswana are very low. We continue to ensure that our systems, policies and processes remain current and effective.