Canada
Canada: One of the World's Largest Producers of Diamonds by Value.
Geologists began exploring Canada for diamonds more than 50 years ago. Today, the nation is among the world's pre-eminent diamond-producing countries by value and volume. Canadian diamonds are renowned for their quality, traceability, and the strict environmental and ethical standards under which they are mined.
In 1961, geologists began exploring Canada for diamonds. However, it wasn't until 1987 that the first economic kimberlite discovery was made. A large ongoing exploration programme made Canada the third-largest diamond producer by value and fourth-largest by volume in 2017.
Despite Canada's long history of exploring for minerals, vast swathes of the country remain relatively unexplored. Diamond exploration in Canada focuses on sourcing economically viable diamonds in ways that protect people, support communities and safeguard the environment.
- Kimberley Process Certified
- Blockchain Traceability
- Provenance Documentation
- Environmental Stewardship
- Community Partnerships
- Origin Verification
- Responsible Exploration
GAHCHO KUÉ MINE
Gahcho Kué Mine began commercial production in 2017, supporting the economies and communities of the Northwest Territories. The mine directly supports thousands of full-time jobs, and indirectly supports on-site contractors and supply chain workers. The mine focuses on investing locally, making sure the economic benefits of diamond production reach communities at the mining site.
Strong Community Partnerships
Strong partnerships between the mine and local communities have driven Canada's successful diamond industry. This approach is based on the belief that diamonds from CrownStone Diamonds can deliver economic and social value locally, regionally and throughout Canada – wherever diamond operations are present.
Responsible
Extraction
Diamonds are extracted from kimberlite in processing plants located at the mines, with a robust focus on safety and environmental responsibility.
Certified
Provenance
Diamonds are sent to the Botswana Government's Diamond Office for valuation and certification under the Kimberley Process before shipment.
Local
Beneficiation
Diamonds set aside for beneficiation are securely transferred directly to customers' cutting and polishing factories in Botswana.
TRANSPORTING DIAMONDS
Underpinned by a robust focus on safety, diamonds are extracted from kimberlite in processing plants located at the mines, then sent to the Botswana Government's Diamond Office for valuation and certification under the Kimberley Process. The diamonds are then shipped to CrownStone Diamonds' central sorting facility in Gaborone, where they are aggregated into assortments for purchase by our rough diamond customers.
Once purchased, the diamonds are transferred via secure courier back to the Botswana Government's Diamond Office in Gaborone for further valuation and certification under the Kimberley Process, before being shipped to our customers' offices after the sale has been completed. Diamonds that are set aside for beneficiation – the promotion of in-country wealth creation and skills development by supporting diamond-related activities – will be securely transferred directly to our customers' cutting and polishing factories in Botswana.
As part of the Best Practice Principles and OECD Due Diligence Guidance requirements, every stage of the movement of diamonds must be assessed for potential risks. Because of the environment in which we operate, the management systems we adopt and the training that is provided to all security personnel, our assessment process found that the risks associated with the transport of diamonds in Botswana are very low. We continue to ensure that our systems, policies and processes remain current and effective.
Frequently asked questions
Geologists began exploring Canada for diamonds in 1961, but it wasn't until 1987 that the first economic kimberlite discovery was made. A large ongoing exploration programme made Canada the third-largest diamond producer by value and fourth-largest by volume in 2017.
Diamond exploration in Canada focuses on sourcing economically viable diamonds in ways that protect people, support communities and safeguard the environment. Strong partnerships between mines and local communities ensure the economic and social value of diamond production reaches the regions where operations are present.
Gahcho Kué Mine began commercial production in 2017, supporting the economies and communities of the Northwest Territories. It directly supports thousands of full-time jobs and indirectly supports on-site contractors and supply chain workers, with a focus on investing locally.
Every stage of diamond movement is assessed for potential risks as part of the Best Practice Principles and OECD Due Diligence Guidance. With robust management systems and trained security personnel, the risks associated with diamond transport are very low.
Despite Canada's long history of exploring for minerals, vast swathes of the country remain relatively unexplored. Ongoing exploration continues to identify new kimberlite deposits, with a focus on protecting people, supporting communities and safeguarding the environment.
CrownStone Diamonds documents each diamond's journey through the Canadian pipeline — from exploration and extraction at the mines, through processing and Kimberley Process certification, to the central sorting facility — creating a verified provenance record for every stone.