Jericho kimberlite pipe
Contwoyto Lake, Kitikmeot Region, Nunavut, Canada
Key Information
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The Jericho kimberlite pipe is located in Nunavut, Canada, about 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, in a remote Arctic region.
It is known for producing diamonds and other minerals like baryte, ilmenite, and zircon, with significant historical output.
The geological structure is a kimberlite pipe, formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, rich in diamonds.
Mining started in 2006, operated briefly until 2008, and is now dormant, with past operations facing logistical challenges.
The area is part of Inuit culture, with traditional practices deeply connected to the land, though specific local impacts are less documented.
The climate is Arctic, with cold winters and cool summers, affecting mining and local ecology, including tundra wildlife.
Location and Geography
The Jericho kimberlite pipe sits in the Kitikmeot Region of Nunavut, Canada, roughly 400 km northeast of Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, and 60 km south of the Arctic Circle. Its exact coordinates are 65°59'50'' North, 111°28'30'' West, near Contwoyto Lake, in a vast, remote Arctic tundra landscape. This area is part of the Canadian Shield, with nearby kimberlite bodies like Muskox adding to its geological interest.
Minerals and Geology
This locality is famous for diamonds, producing 780,000 carats from 1.2 million tonnes of kimberlite between 2006 and 2008. Other minerals include baryte, ilmenite, rutile (including niobium-bearing varieties), zircon, apatite, and garnets like pyrope. Geologically, it’s a kimberlite pipe, a volcanic structure formed during a Jurassic event around 173 million years ago, intruding into the ancient Contwoyto Batholith, making it a treasure trove for mineral enthusiasts.
Mining History
Mining began on August 17, 2006, marking Nunavut’s first diamond mine, operated by Tahera Diamond Corporation with Tiffany & Co. distribution. It closed in 2008, later acquired by Shear Diamonds Ltd. in 2010, with brief 2012 activity before suspension. Over $200 million was invested, including a 2,000-tonne-per-day recovery plant, but remote location and ice road logistics posed challenges.
Cultural and Ecological Context
The region is deeply tied to Inuit culture, with a 4,000-year history of hunting, fishing, and carving, though specific Jericho impacts are less documented. The Arctic climate features harsh winters (-32°C average in January) and cool summers (up to 10°C in July), part of the tundra ecosystem with wildlife like polar bears and caribou, affected by rapid climate change.