Another mine closure in Northern Ontario on the way, this time a diamond mine located on the James Bay coast.

De Beers Canada says they will cease mining and production activities at the Victor Mine, located about 90km from Attawapiskat in the first quarter of 2019.

Chief Executive of De Beers Canada Kim Truter says the mine currently employs around 500 workers—including contractors—and the workforce will slowly go down in the remaining months.

The closure team will be around 70 people.

“De Beers is working closely with community partners to create opportunities for employment and awarding contracts that will be required during this phase,” they state in a release.

News of the closure was given to De Beers employees Tuesday.

“The decision is really based on economics,” Truter told media Wednesday afternoon at a news conference.

He says there’s been many questions about the mine’s future and felt it important to clarify the pathway to the end of the mine’s life.

“We’ve actually just met with the (area First Nations) Chiefs, and we had a very positive conversation about making sure that we use the next 16 months wisely, as we wind down operations and into the closure phase.”

Truter adds they’ll be working closely with the communities to make sure they end things responsibly.

Once the pit has been depleted in 2019, officials say the demolition and environmental monitoring phase should take 3-5 years.

As for reclamation work, De Beers says they developed a closure plan before the mine even opened back in July 2008 and work has already been taking place in that respect for several years.

This includes the planting of more than 200,000 tree saplings and willow stakes that were harvested and grown locally through a community youth work program.

With regards to the winter road between Attawapiskat and Moosonee, Truter says they expect the road to be scaled down, and will question the need for the road on an ongoing basis after 2020.

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