Sudbury sparkles! 50 new jobs!

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO MINISTRY OF NORTHERN DEVELOPMENT AND MINES

************************* Sudbury gives shine to Ontario diamonds

McGuinty government promotes job creation in the North

TORONTO - (April 6) - Ontario's first diamond cutting and polishing facility will be located in Greater Sudbury and will create about 50 new jobs in the community. Crossworks Manufacturing, part of the HRA-SunDiamond Group, who qualified for a supply contract with De Beers' Diamond Trading Company (DTC), will cut and polish an estimated $25-million worth of rough stones a year at a new northern facility.

Once completed later this year, the facility will employ about 50 people in special skilled diamond cutting trades, as well as administrative and maintenance positions. The rough stones will come from the De Beers Canada Victor Mine, located 90 kilometres west of Attawapiskat First Nation, in the James Bay Lowlands.

Under an agreement with the Ontario government, De Beers Canada, through the De Beers global sales and distribution arm, the DTC, is making 10 per cent of its annual rough diamond production from the Victor mine, by value, available for cutting and polishing activities in Ontario.

************************* Quotes "This exciting initiative will provide new avenues of employment and expertise as well as further advance Greater Sudbury's reputation as a centre of mineral excellence."

- Rick Bartolucci, MPP for Sudbury

"The Ontario government is following through on its commitment to create opportunity for value-added activities that will promote a vibrant diamond industry that could include trading, jewellery manufacturing, marketing, tourism and other activities." - Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development and Mines

"De Beers Canada is committed to sustainable development and the creation of business, training and employment opportunities in the areas in which we operate our mines. We are proud to be the first diamond mine in Ontario and will continue to seek ways to grow with our partners."

- Jim Gowans, President & CEO, De Beers Canada.

"The establishment of our factory is a great beginning for us in Ontario and will put Greater Sudbury on the global diamond map. As a Canadian company, we are excited about the possibilities that this offers the jewellery industry, the City of Greater Sudbury, the Province of Ontario and Canada." - Uri Ariel, President, Crossworks Manufacturing Ltd.

Quick facts - Ontario recently joined other stakeholders in establishing Canada's first diamond bourse in Toronto.

- Canada ranks in the top three diamond producers in the world in terms of value.

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