Socio-Economic & Community Commitments
Mining companies today are committed to working with communities and governments to create meaningful benefits in the regions where they operate. Through various agreements, efforts are focused on such goals as training, employment, and business.
Mining benefits to NWT & Nunavut – the latest numbers on jobs and spending
Every year, the Chamber of Mines tabulates the major socio-economic benefits – employment and business spending – created by Northwest Territories and Nunavut mines.
Since 1996, when the NWT’s first diamond mine began construction, through 2019, here are the Chamber’s latest cumulative totals:
87,930 person-years* of employment (1996-2019)
64,095 (from four NWT diamond mines)
23,835 (from three Nunavut gold mines and one Nunavut iron ore mine)
Employment – 40% northern/60% southern (1996-2019)
2,143 northern workforce (26%) in 2019
$32.7 billion in business (1996-2019)
$20.3 billion northern (62%) (1996-2019)
Plus, several hundred million dollars to communities in IBA payments, scholarships, donations, & community wellness projects
Plus, billions more in taxes and royalties to public and Indigenous governments
*one person year equals 2,184 hours (12 hour shifts during two weeks on/two weeks off rotations over one year)
87,930
$32.7B
In business (1996-2019)
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2,143
Northern workforce (26%) in 2019
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NWT Diamond Benefits
The Northwest Territories’ diamond mines continue to provide significant socio-economic benefits to NWT residents and businesses while generating substantial revenues to the territorial government.
Highlights show the NWT diamond mines have generated the following:
Business
$15.4 billion northern spending (69%) from 1996 through 2019, of which $6.7 billion spending with northern Indigenous businesses
$813.3 million northern spending (68%) in 2019, of which
$369.4 million with Indigenous business
Employment
30,616 person years northern employment (48%) from 1996 through 2019, of which 15,383 person years Indigenous
1,334 person years northern employment (46%) in 2019, of which 697 person years Indigenous
To learn more about the benefits the NWT’s diamond mines provide, please see their most recent socio-economic reports here:
NWT Diamond Benefits
Mining in Nunavut has experienced a resurgence over the past decade. In 2009, there was no mineral production in the territory but today there are four operating mines; three gold and one iron ore.
Highlights show Nunavut mines have generated the following:
Business
$4.9 billion northern spending (47%) from 2009 through 2019
$897.3 million northern spending (49%) in 2019
Employment
4,857 person years northern employment (20%) from 2009 through 2019
809 person years northern (16%) in 201
To learn more about the benefits Nunavut mines provide, please see their most recent socio-economic reports here:
Hope Bay 2019 socio economic report
NWT/Nunavut mines socio-economic agreements
Ekati Diamond Mine Socio-Economic Agreement
Diavik Diamond Mine Socio-Economic Monitoring Agreement 1999 and 2015 Amendment
Gahcho Kue Diamond Mine Socio-Economic Agreement
Snap Lake Diamond Mine Socio-Economic Agreement
Prairie Creek Mine Socio-Economic Agreement
Meadowbank Gold Mine Development Partnership Agreement
Meadowbank Gold Mine Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement
Mary River Iron Mine Inuit Impact Benefit Agreement