Yellowknife (Mar 24/06) - Mother Nature has defeated technology and the fight to keep the ice road to the diamond mines rolling appears lost for another year.

The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road has been suspended indefinitely said Tom Hoefer, spokesperson for the Joint Venture Management Committee (JVMC) which operates the route.

“We can’t fight the weather or predict it,” he said. “In the face of that, the ice road isn’t healthy.”

There is a slim chance the road could re-open, said Hoefer, adding a decision will be made tomorrow.

The main area of concern is Waite Lake where ice thickness is down from 38 inches to approximately 25 inches in some spots.

“That area is not safe from an environmental or human perspective,” he said.

So far this year the road operated for just 42 days compared to 76 in 2005. Trucks transported 7,208 loads to the mines and exploration sites, many of which were only at half-capacity, said Hoefer. The JVMC was hoping to ship 9,000-10,000 full loads.

Last year, 8,200 trips were completed. The early closure could cost mining companies millions in added transport costs.

Tahera is one of the companies left scrambling to make alternate plans to get freight and fuel to its Jericho diamond mine which was expected to hit full production next month. Peter Gillin, Tahera chairman and chief executive officer, said the company will now need to be more flexible with supplies and manpower.

“We’ll delay some of our non-essential processes such as waste rock stripping,” he said.

Tahera was expecting 450 loads, but said it only received 60 per cent of its supplies. Currently its 12 million litre fuel tank farm sits only half full.

Mining firms will now need to “look at air as an option,” said Hoefer.

Should Tahera need to resort to flying in additional supplies, Gillin estimated it would mean $3 million more than what using the ice road would have cost.

De Beers had planned to send about 2,200 loads to its Snap Lake mine construction site, but came up 600 short.

“Some of the essential supplies will be flown up,” said Linda Dorrington, spokesperson for De Beers Canada.

One option for transport available will be First Air’s L382G Hercules aircraft - the largest cargo hauler based in the North.

First Air already expected a busy season, said Mike Olson, director of sales for the western region, adding it will now be even busier.

“We are going to work with the mines to accommodate their needs,” he said.

The Hercules is capable of carrying about 20,250 kg of cargo, he said adding there are five sets of pilots and a functional support staff all awaiting orders.

“We are prepared to go 24/7 to help out,” he said.