YELLOWKNIFE - Students from William McDonald school were the first major group to get a tour of BHP Billiton's Ekati Diamond Mine.

Twenty Grade 8 students and five staff visited the mine Feb. 22. David Radcliffe, a teacher at the school, had spent two months organizing the trip to give the students a first hand look at the industry that's driving the North.

Rochelle Hilderman and Jessica Curren, students from William McDonald school, enjoy a tour of the diamond processing plant at BHP Billiton's Ekati Diamond Mine. - photo courtesy David Radcliffe

"It's important for students to learn about these things," said Radcliffe, who has lived 45 years in Yellowknife.

Radcliffe wanted to introduce the students to the opportunities of working in the mines, and give them some incentives to stay in school. He reminded his students that even the truck drivers needed a high school education.

Radcliffe's introduction worked on Andrea Lowing, 13, who might now be considering a career in the mines.

"I would have never thought of it before this," said Lowing.

"There are so many opportunities up there."

Lowing and her classmates were impressed by the extensive facilities at the mine site, from the well-stocked sandwich bar, to a soon-to-come virtual golf course.

"It's like a resort for working," said Julia Anderson, 13.

"It was pretty much like your own city," agreed Lowing.

The group was treated to a tour of the mine pit, the processing plant, the truck shop, and the restaurant-essentially the start to finish of mining work.

"I never really knew how the diamonds came out. I figured they just take it and put it on a ring," said Rochelle Hilderman, 13.

"They do all that work for a coffee can full of diamonds," said Lowing on the average amount of diamonds the mine produces in one day. Her teacher noted that that one coffee can is worth around $3 million.

The 20 students flew into the mine on a plane chartered by BHP Billiton. The students were selected among all the Grade 8 classes, based on an essay outlining why they wanted to go.