Ekati is Canada’s first surface and underground diamond mine.
Kimberlite is a soft igneous rock located in long, vertical volcanic pipes in which diamonds are sometimes found.
There are less than 10,000 kimberlite pipes in the world, with very few containing diamonds.
Ekati has 156 known kimberlite pipes, at least six of which contain diamonds.
Ekati officially began operations on October 14, 1998, and was operated by BHP Billiton Canada Inc.
The mine is estimated to supply diamonds for the 25 years.
