Wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories

August 22, 2023

Ekati Diamond Mine continues to be outside of any current or anticipated wildfire risk. The remote and sub-Arctic location has enabled the mine operations to continue to produce with carat production that remains on target. Ekati is approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife, and the closest wildfire continues to be approximately 135 kilometres southwest of the mine site.

Several Burgundy Diamond Mines team members who live in Yellowknife and surrounding communities under evacuation orders have relocated to Edmonton, Calgary and Grande Prairie in Alberta. A couple of Ekati team members, with specialized emergency response skills, firefighting expertise and equipment operational experience have volunteered to help with response efforts during their time off. A majority of the Burgundy workforce fly into Ekati directly from Calgary and work two weeks and then fly out through the same route for two weeks off. Burgundy leadership members have been supporting employees to enable continued operation through enabling flexible work arrangements and adapting to the removal of the Yellowknife fly point by providing additional flights from Edmonton via Calgary and on to Ekati.

Burgundy Diamond Mines remains committed to supporting its people who have been affected by the wildfires and will continue to monitor and provide updates on the wildfire situation. We will continue to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories to assist with wildfire response efforts and supporting those team members who live in evacuated regions. We value the neighbouring communities who have been directly impacted by the wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories and will continue to monitor the best way to support them as the situation evolves.

August 17, 2023

Several communities in the Northwest Territories have been ordered to evacuate as wildfires are threatening the health and safety of residents in the capital city of Yellowknife and surrounding communities. Although there is a growing concern for many residents in the area, Ekati Diamond Mine is located approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife. Located on Arctic tundra, a terrain that is characterized by boulder fields and numerous lakes and streams, Ekati is not at current or anticipated wildfire risk. As of the release of this announcement the closest wildfire is approximately 135 kilometres southwest of the mine site.

Burgundy Diamond Mines leadership team has been and will continue to work with the Government of the Northwest Territories to assist with wildfire response efforts and is supporting several team members who live in evacuated regions. We have contingency plans in place to maintain continued operations and to provide alternate work arrangements for those who are personally affected by the wildfires.

Burgundy Diamond Mines remains committed to supporting its people who have been affected by the wildfires and will continue to monitor and provide updates on the wildfire situation.

We will continue to support our neighbours who have been directly impacted by the destruction, uncertainty caused by the wildfires in Canada’s Northwest Territories.

Photo by Christine Seabrook. Taken on Aug. 8, 2023, about a 20 minute drive northwest of Fort Smith on Highway 5 in the Northwest Territories, shared on Facebook.

-ENDS-

These announcements were authorized for release on the ASX by the Board of Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd.

Further Information:

Kim Truter
Chief Executive Officer
Burgundy Diamond Mines Ltd
info@burgundy-diamonds.com
+61 8 6313 3945

Investors and Media
Citadel-MAGNUS
Russell Quinn
rquinn@citadelmagnus.com
+61 403 322 097

 

About Burgundy Diamond Mines Limited

Burgundy Diamond Mines is a premier global diamond company that proudly produces and delivers ethically sourced diamonds from its world-renowned Ekati Diamond Mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories to market. Burgundy’s unique end-to-end business model with total chain of custody provides unquestionable diamond origin and traceability along every step of the process, providing the ability to safeguard the ethical production of its diamonds from mining to marketing and discovery to design. Burgundy is part of CanadaMark™, a program that assures manufacturers, retailers and customers, that Burgundy Diamonds are sustainably produced and support ethical investment in Canadian Northern Indigenous communities. Burgundy Diamond Mines Limited is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:BDM).

Caution regarding Forward Looking Information

This document contains forward looking statements concerning Burgundy Diamond Mines Limited. Forward looking statements are not statements of historical fact and actual events and results may differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Forward looking statements in this document are based on Burgundy’s beliefs, opinions and estimates as of the dates the forward-looking statements are made, and no obligation is assumed to update forward looking statements.

Not an offer of securities outside Australia and New Zealand

This announcement has been prepared for publication in Australia and may not be released to US wire services or distributed in the United States. This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, securities in the United States or any other jurisdiction outside Australia and New Zealand. Any securities described in this announcement and the Prospectus have not been, and will not be, registered under the US Securities Act of 1933 and may not be offered or sold in the United States except in transactions exempt from, or not subject to, the registration requirements of the US Securities Act and applicable US state securities laws. US shareholders may not participate in the SPP.

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