12/1/2022 0 Comments Land of mine true storyThe Ice Road is sure to get your heart racing, but the impact of the real diamond ice road is a story worth telling. As environmental stewards, diamond companies take great steps to protect the wildlife and biodiversity of areas in which they mine, protecting 3x the amount of land they use for mining and putting strategies in place for land reclamation and rehabilitation well before a mine is even opened. The Tibbitt to Contwoyto Winter Road has been deemed the safest road in North America and is the only road in Canada where you are not allowed to wear a seatbelt! And while life on the open ice road may seem lonely and desolate at times, drivers are never actually alone – they share the road with caribou, wolves and other arctic animals who are always given the right of way. Only after reaching a minimum of 29 inches of ice can the road officially open. The vehicle drives the length of the road towing a sonar device which detects ice thickness. This vehicle is fully amphibious, meaning it will float in water if it falls through the ice. If you’re wondering how the safety of the ice is tested before the road opens for business, it’s a Swedish made Hägglund truck that is up to the task. Photo Credit: De Beers Group Is the real “Ice Road” safe? War movies may be a dime a dozen, but rare is the film that depicts the anguish and retribution that linger in the aftermath of conflict and violence. It’s this commitment to nurturing local communities that ensures they will continue to thrive well beyond the lifespan of the mine. Local sourcing and purchasing creates a broader multiplier effect, stimulating the local economy leading to business development, a skilled workforce and economic growth. Since 1996, the industry has spent more than $23 billion in procurement from NWT and Indigenous owned businesses. Up to 10,000 loads of essential supplies and equipment are delivered to the remote mine sites during the few weeks each year the road is open. In the Northwest territories, the diamond industry is a vital one, contributing around 25% of the territory’s GDP, and the ice road is the lifeline which sustains it. It’s only during February and March that lakes along the route have frozen solid enough to connect the mines to the capital city of Yellowknife. There are currently three working diamond mines in the NWT-Ekati, Diavik and Gahcho Kué-but because they are located in the most remote region of the frozen NWT, the commute to work is extraordinary! The mining operations are cut-off from the outside world for all but two short months a year. THE ICE ROAD: BEHIND THE SCENES Photo Credit: ALLEN FRASER/NETFLIX Where are diamonds found in Canada? The story of Land of Mine is a fascinating and largely unknown one, but what makes the movie special is Zandvliet’s command of space and visual language.
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