Dominion Diamond Mines is aiming to resume production at the Ekati mine in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Operations were suspended at the Ekati mine in March as a preventive move amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
RELATED REPORTING: Ekati Diamond Mine suspends operations over COVID-19 concerns
"We hope to reopen Ekati as soon as possible, but there are several factors to consider as we look at restarting operations," said Dominion CEO Pat Merrin, on June 29.
NNSL file photo
Those factors include "meaningful" resumption of global diamond sales and Dominion's ability to safely recall its workers during the pandemic.
Another factor is how the sale of the mine's assets plays out. While another subsidiary of The Washington Companies – owner of Dominion Diamond Mines – has expressed interest in purchasing Ekati's assets and an Alberta court has granted approval, it wasn't clear yet if it will be the successful buyer as the bidding is also subject to a court-mandated process.
"We have now commenced the sales process and are working with our bankers, along with the court-appointed monitor, to identify and evaluate competing offers for the company. Whether Dominion remains under The Washington Companies’ ownership or is sold to a competing bidder, the process approved in court will enable us to pursue a bright and stable future for the company," Merrin said.
The possibility of restarting production at Ekati depends on the outcome of Dominion's restructuring process, and also on sales in the diamond market, which have dropped significantly since the Covid-19 pandemic spread, according to data from independent diamond analyst Paul Zimnisky.
The diamond market in the third and fourth quarters of 2020 will be a significant factor for Ekati, said Zimnisky.
"I think diamond prices could edge higher towards the end of the year given the significant tapering of global production in recent months due to the pandemic," he said. "Of course, consumer demand will need to support this, which will depend on the pace of recovery of the global economy, which will in part depend on whether there is a second wave of the virus that results in a subsequent second global lockdown or the wide availability of an approved vaccine."
Zimnisky also thinks the court wants the Ekati mine to resume operations "given the significant implication of the mine on employment and tax revenue in the region."
The approval for the asset sale process was granted on June 19 in the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in Calgary, according to the court filing.
The assets would be sold for US $126.1 million and Merrin said the sales process will conclude by the end of October.
RELATED REPORTING: Proposed $126 million purchase of Dominion’s assets might see Ekati mine resume operations
In addition to the asset sale, the court also approved near-term financing and bidding procedures for the solicitation of competing offers, said Merrin.
The court's approval comes two months after Dominion announced it had filed for creditor protection.
RELATED REPORTING: Dominion Diamond Mines files for insolvency protection