LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - Fort Simpson residents working for Diavik Diamond Mines will now have an easier time getting to and from work.

The village has been designated as one of nine of the company's employee pick-up points in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.

The A154 open pit at the Diavik Diamond Mine. Fort Simpson employees hired to work at the mine are guaranteed free flights to and from the mine, located 300 km northeast of Yellowknife. - NNSL file photo

Previously, Diavik had individual agreements with employees living in the village to cover the costs of the commercial flights they took to and from the mine, said Doug Ashbury, a spokesperson for the company.

During the first six months of this year an average of four employees flew from the village. The individualized agreements were subject to change. Now that Fort Simpson has been made an official pick-up location all future employees will have their flights guaranteed, Ashbury said.

"We hope individuals in Fort Simpson see that as one potential benefit to applying to Diavik," he said.

Ashbury added the change is part of Diavik's ongoing commitment to employ Northerners.

Approximately 825 people work at the mine located 300 km northeast of Yellowknife. Two thirds of the workforce, approximately 525 people, live in the territory or the West Kitikmeot region of Nunavut.

Although Ashbury said the company can't dictate where people live, it encourages people to live and remain in the North by offering competitive wages, packages and Northern allowances.

Diavik discontinued Edmonton as a pick-up location for new employees in May. Current employees will still have the costs of their flights from the city covered, but new workers will have to get to the closest pick-up point on their own.

Fort Simpson Mayor Sean Whelly said more residents will now decide to seek employment at the mine.

"It's a positive move by Diavik," said Whelly.

Whelly said he encourages the company to come to the village to raise awareness of the employment opportunities at the mine site.

"We do have an underutilized workforce here that does have experience in areas the mine is looking for, like heavy equipment operators," he said.

Whelly also suggested Diavik and the Department of Education, Culture and Employment work together to offer training opportunities to local residents.

Diavik is recruiting Northern workers to fill approximately 150 positions for the first wave of underground teams.

The mine is transitioning from open-pit to underground mining.

Underground work is scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2010 and all work is expected to be underground by 2012.

"Our goal is to hire Northerners wherever possible," Ashbury said.

Nevertheless, finding Northerners with underground mining experience continues present a challenge, he said.

Diavik has an underground training plan to maximize the number of Northern workers. Once entry-level workers reach a level fit for promotion, they will be replaced with other Northerners, Ashbury said.