https://www.jewellermagazine.com/
The source of more than 90 per cent of the world’s pink diamonds, the Argyle Mine in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, has been permanently closed by owner Rio Tinto after more than 30 years of operation.
The mine’s last day of operation was 3 November, with employees and traditional owners of the land attending an event to mark the start of the closure process.
Rio Tinto estimates it will take five years to dismantle and decommission the Argyle site, which will be rehabilitated, monitored, and returned to traditional owners.
Andrew Wilson, general manager of the Argyle Mine, said, “This is an historic day for the Argyle Mine and the east Kimberley region, and a great source of pride for this unique Australian success story.
“A new chapter will now begin as we start the process of respectfully closing the Argyle mine and rehabilitating the land, to be handed back to its traditional custodians.”
For the rest of this article: https://www.jewellermagazine.com/Article/9262/End-of-an-era-Argyle-Mine-officially-closed