On June 5, a group of 20 participants from an International Diamond School program hosted by the University of Alberta arrived in Yellowknife for a two-day field trip to Canada’s diamond capital.

After a trip which saw one group of 10 visit Ekati Diamond Mine and one group of 10 jet to Diavik Diamond Mine, they reconvened in Yellowknife to spend a day examining geological highlights of the city and surrounding area.

Scott Cairns, Barrett Elliott, and Hendrik Falck — all employees of the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment’s (ITI) Northwest Territories Geological Survey (NTGS) — led the group to stops between Yellowknife and Behchoko to observe the bedrock geology of the region.

“We were able to tour the Giant Mine Section, a classic Archean geology location, along with many other excellent locations showcasing the geological features of this region” said Cairns — who manages the Minerals and Bedrock Mapping program for the NTGS. “It was an informative session for all, and we were happy to contribute.”

We are celebrating 25 years since diamonds were discovered in the NWT. In that time our territory has become a recognized world leader in the diamond industry. 

The scientific resources that support and stimulate our sector are also leading edge - a fact reflected in this visit. 

Through the ongoing implementation of the Mineral Development Strategy, the GNWT continues to invest in its geoscience resources - especially as ‎a means to maintain our territory's competitive edge during this time of reduced resource exploration and investment. 

Find out more about the International Diamond School here.