26 November 2011
New president joins Diavik
Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., operator of the Diavik Diamond Mine, is pleased to announce that Niels Kristensen has joined Diavik as the company's new President and Chief Operating Officer.
With Rio Tinto since 1989, Mr. Kristensen joins Diavik from the Murowa Diamond Mine in Zimbabwe where he was Managing Director. A chemical engineer with finance experience, Mr. Kristensen's career also includes management positions with Rio Tinto operations in Australia, South Africa, and London.
Mr. Kristensen and family arrived in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories earlier this week and he officially began as Diavik's senior executive Tuesday, November 22. He joins Diavik as our planned transition to underground mining nears completion.
"Diavik is a leader in workplace health and safety, operational performance, and externally through its environmental protection and community relations," Mr. Kristensen said. "I look forward to working with employees, and all our partners including local communities, governments, and businesses to ensure our continued success," he added. "Diavik has a strong future as a safe, efficient, and profitable business beyond the year 2020."
The Diavik Diamond Mine, a five-time John T. Ryan safety award winner and located 300 km. northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, is an unincorporated joint venture between Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. (60%) and Harry Winston Diamond Limited Partnership (40%). Both companies are headquartered in Yellowknife, Canada. DDMI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto plc of London, England, and Harry Winston Diamond Limited Partnership is wholly owned by Harry Winston Diamond Corporation of Toronto, Canada. For further information contact Doug Ashbury, Adviser Communications at Tel: (867) 669-6500, or visit the Diavik web site at www.diavik.ca.