Diavik mine in N.W.T. to lay off some workers

Some layoffs are expected soon as the Diavik diamond mine in the N.W.T. will close its open-pit mine.

More than 1,000 people work at the mine, which is located about 300 kilometres northeast of Yellowknife. The mine only has the one open-pit, but it also has underground mining operations.

The open-pit will close at the end of the month.

"Obviously, when you finish operating an open pit mineyou don't need the kind of people who work in open pit mines," said Bob Gannicott, the CEO of Diaviks owner, Harry Winston.

Gannicott said he could not comment on how many people will be laid off, or when.

However, he said this is not the end of open-pit mining at Diavik. Gannicott said the company expects tobegin another open pit in 2016.

Diaviks underground operations are scheduled to close by 2023.