An aerial view of an exploration site at Fort á la Corne. (file photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Fort á la Corne

Possible diamond mine exit worries P.A. mayor

Jul 7, 2022 | 4:00 PM

A decision to put further exploration of the diamond mine at Fort á la Corne is concerning, said Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne.

Having a large company like Rio Tinto involved gave the City of P.A. some hope that the project was in good hands.

“We felt very positive so of course now with them thinking of backing out of the deal and leaving the site, that concerns us,” Dionne said.

While Rio Tinto has made no public statements, Star Diamond announced recently that Rio Tinto had decided to put the site northeast of Prince Albert on “care and maintenance” until December 31, 2022.

“Rio Tinto also advised Star Diamond during today’s joint venture management committee meeting that Rio Tinto intends to conduct a near-term review of its alternatives regarding the Project, including its potential exit,” said Star Diamond in a statement posted to its website on June 28.

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While Rio Tinto is a large mineral exploration company, Star Diamond is based in Saskatoon and has been working with them for some years to develop the mine and owns 25 per cent of the interest in the Falcon Project, as it has been named.

Dionne noted the city has a contact with Rio Tinto and they have reached out for more information but don’t expect an answer for at least a week.

People have also reportedly been calling the city as other recent information on the future of the site has been positive.

Along with a reason for Rio Tinto to pull out of the project, people want to know what will happen now.

“Those are all the questions that I have on my list that I will be putting forward to both Rio Tinto and Star Diamond,” he said.

Dionne added he is perplexed why they would consider exiting now when they have the resources needed to develop the mine.

There was no advance warning of Rio Tinto’s announcement, which was made during a meeting of the joint venture management committee last Tuesday.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com