Twenty-six years after one relationship began, the Tłı̨chǫ government and mining giant Rio Tinto are embarking on another.

The two parties signed a closure agreement in Behchokǫ Thursday for Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine, where production is slated to end next month.

The agreement is one of the first of its kind for Rio Tinto in Canada. Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Jackson Lafferty said the shift in how mine closures are treated nowadays can’t be understated. 

“That speaks volumes of how partnership truly works… We opened our mine together, let’s close the mine together,” he said.

The closure plan includes major work to restore the land. Lafferty said a lot of the knowledge guiding that work is thanks to elder involvement that dates back to when the mine first opened.

“We’re going to do what we can to protect and preserve our land, our waterways and also wildlife,” he said. “And that’s always been our ancestors’ vision, to protect our environment. At the same time creating opportunities for people with [the] mine closure.”

The agreement includes funding for Tłı̨chǫ-led initiatives during Diavik’s closure phase. The agreement also provides commitments on employment, training and business opportunities for Tłı̨chǫ citizens.

Diavik’s manager of communities and social performance, Tara Marchiori, said the focus on social considerations of closing the mine have been ongoing since 2019. 

“The original agreements really had business opportunities, education and employment and training and sort of a cultural well-being aspect to them,” Marchiori said. “So that has largely transferred over…. Community governments can determine what’s the best way to put that towards programs and services for citizens.” .

She said negotiations on the closure agreement started in April 2024. 

“This felt like a real milestone. But particularly to hear the former grand chief speaking so kindly about Diavik and Rio Tinto, it’s really heartwarming,” said Marchiori.

Former Tłı̨chǫ Grand Chief Joe Rabesca spoke to attendees and reflected on the mine’s legacy. He was also one of the signees of the first partnership agreement in 2000.

“Overall, thank you very much for working with us and I hope wherever the company goes that people will ask us, ‘How was Diavik?’ and I would say they are good friends,” said Rabesca.

Also at the ceremony and reflecting on the long life of the Diavik mine was Peter Huskey. He remembers talking to elders when original assessments were underway for the mine.

“The late Harry Apples, he mentioned that if we don’t see it with our own eyes then how can we talk about it…. So that’s what they did, the company invited the elders to go to the process plant and see what’s taking place.”

Huskey worked for Diavik in various roles over the years including as an interpreter for site visits, including underground tours, with elders. 

The Tłı̨chǫ government said information for workers and families affected by the closure will “continue to be shared through Tłı̨chǫ Client Services, Diavik, and community channels.”