The Renard diamond mine, in the James Bay territory of Quebec, will not reopen yet, despite the province’s government announcing that mining activities can restart as essential services.
Diamond miner Stornoway is keeping Renard on remain on care-and-maintenance, given the structural challenges still affecting the diamond market sales, as well as the depressed prices for diamonds owing to Covid-19.
The decision to keep operations suspended will impact nearly 540 people and only a team of 50 will remain on site to assume the care-and-maintenance of activities, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.