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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
For the second year in a row, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. has been named among the country's top 100 employers.

Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine, has been selected as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for the second year in a row. Here, cementation mechanic Rodney Gray repairs a bolter rig about 358 metres underground at the mine. - photo courtesy Diavik Diamond Mines Inc.

It is the third time the operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine, located about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife, has made the list, after being selected by the list for the first time in 2010.

"As a company, we're very pleased with this recognition," said Diavik spokesperson Doug Ashbury. "It tells us we're providing a safe and excellent work environment."

In addition to Diavik's retirement/pension plan, health and benefits plan, and maternity leave top-up program, the editors of the list, Mediacorp Canada Inc., also cited the mine's work location, 200 km south of the Arctic Circle, as one of the most unique work locations in Canada and the world.

"We have a very remote and challenging location and we think that brings out the best in people," Ashbury said, adding the company goes to great lengths to attract and keep its skilled workforce with competitive pay, benefits, and emphasis on safety at the mine.

"We have many different skills that are required to operate our mine and in many cases those are technical skills and we want to make sure that we have all of those things in place to attract individuals with the skills that we need."

Other criteria judged include work atmosphere and social engagement, vacation and time off, and performance management.

Changes at the mine since Diavik last made the top 100 employers list include the addition of a wind farm, the transition to fully-underground mining, and the expansion of the mine's aboriginal leadership development program, now being offered by Aurora College.

"These are aspects of our operation everybody shares in the success of," Ashbury said.

Diavik spends about $50,000 per employee, per year, which includes food, allowances for living in the North, flights to work, and safety equipment, in addition to base salaries and benefits.

"At Diavik, we strive to provide workers with the best possible work environment and our most important value is the health and safety of our employees," stated Niels Kristensen, president and chief operating officer. "This will always be key to our operations."

While the operators of the Ekati and Snap Lake diamond mines did not apply this year for the annual competition, Ekati has been named a Top 100 Company for five consecutive years in the past.

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