Diavik's legacy

For 23 years of operations, Diavik played a transformative role in Northern Canada, leaving a legacy defined by caring, partnership, and long‑term benefit for Northern communities. Mining at Diavik provided steady, well‑paying jobs that strengthened families and communities. We provided hundreds of scholarships totaling more than $5 million, supported training and apprenticeship programs that provided valuable, transferable skills. Diavik also invested heavily in skills development, supporting more than 70 certified apprentices and over 130 graduates of the Northern Leadership Development Program.

Over its operating life, Diavik averaged approximately 1,100 jobs each year, with nearly half held by Northern Canadians, and 22% per cent by Northern Indigenous employees. In many cases, multiple generations from the same families worked at the mine. These opportunities increased household incomes, strengthened local capacity, and helped build a more resilient Northern workforce. 

Beyond direct employment, Diavik delivered significant economic and social benefits, providing more than $8 billion in Northern business spend, including $4.1 billion with Northern Indigenous businesses. Community investments included $5 million in scholarships, $9 million in donations, and more than $100 million in direct payments to partner communities. Together, these contributions helped build local businesses, leadership capacity, and community wellbeing that extends well beyond the life of the mine. 

As Diavik transitioned to closure, equal care was taken to support employees and communities through this change. The MyPath employee transition program invested more than $1.5 million in training, delivered over 500 individual coaching sessions, and achieved 95% employee engagement to help our people plan their next chapter.  

Hear from some of our people about Diavik’s MyPath Program.  

Diavik also helped establish the Yellowknife Community Foundation’s Northern Legacy Fund, providing enduring support for future generations, along with regional economic development initiatives and asset donations designed to stimulate long‑term economic activity. This thoughtful, well‑planned approach reflects Diavik’s commitment to ensuring closure is as successful and responsible as operations were. 

Diavik’s environmental legacy is grounded in responsibility, respect, and collaboration. Closure and reclamation are being carried out in close partnership with Northern Indigenous governments and communities, guided by Traditional Knowledge alongside western science. A Traditional Knowledge Panel provided more than 260 recommendations, supported by on‑the‑land camps and ongoing Traditional Knowledge‑based monitoring that continues through closure planning.  

The goal is to return the land and water to a safe condition for people, wildlife, and the continuation of traditional and cultural activities. As one measure of success, leaving a positive legacy means that when people of the North reflect on Diavik’s presence, they recognise the benefits, view closure as successful, and would welcome us back again as a responsible operator.