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Argyle believes it has the capacity - and the responsibility - to make a positive and long-term difference to its stakeholders. This approach is lead by Argyle's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin McLeish, who strongly believes that organisations such as Argyle must show respect and concern for the environments in which they operate, and for the people that their business activities impact upon.

Because Argyle operates in a region of significant economic and social disadvantage, one of the organisation's key priorities is to help build a stronger and more robust East Kimberley economy, that is not dependent upon the mine's operations. To this end, it is initiating training, employment and business development programs, especially for Indigenous people, which will improve the region's skills base and increase the number and profile of self-sustaining businesses.

It is also building partnerships with local organisations, communities and businesses to develop health and education programs that will improve social outcomes in areas of greatest need. Finally, it is supporting Traditional Owners to become the drivers of economic and community development, so that growth and improvement will continue for Aboriginal communities long after Argyle has 'closed up shop'.

An appointed Argyle Diamond distributor, its collection of exquisite pinks and natural coloured diamonds unearthed in Western Australia's far north east is quite simply unmatched. Founded in as Djaaru Gems, Nina's were Kununurra's first jewellery retailer. Extensive consultation with Traditional Owners will continue throughout the closure process. We anticipate it will take three to five years to decommission and dismantle the mine and start rehabilitation followed by environmental monitoring and maintenance prior to relinquishment of the mining lease.

We ran programmes to help our Argyle employees find new jobs after our mine ceased production. For example, we helped our Argyle employees develop and progress a career plan, so that by the time the mine closed they were equipped for their next step.

While many will stay with Rio Tinto and join our other operations, others are entering a new chapter: as engineers, pilots, emergency responders and even wildlife photographers.

We regularly contribute to local education, training, employment and business development opportunities.

We also fund projects and partner with organisations that support sustainable development of our community. For example, six trainees, who were nominated by Traditional Owners, have completed the Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management, while working within Argyle operations towards a qualification in land management and environmental monitoring.

This has enabled them to become future leaders in environmental management for the rehabilitated site. Argyle is closing, but its legacy will live on. Barramundi Gap is one of the most culturally significant sites belonging to the Miriuwung and Gidja people. At Argyle, we recognise the deep spiritual and cultural significance of the land to the Traditional Owners and respect the cultural heritage of the Traditional Owners and local Indigenous people.

Traditional Owners welcome mine operators on to site through a Manthe ceremony, conferring safe passage of employees and visitors through traditional lands. This welcome is also a formal component of our Health and Safety induction at Argyle. The Participation Agreement is the formal mechanism through which we ensure that cultural heritage is protected. For example, every land clearance is conducted in partnership with Traditional Owners, ethnographers, archaeologists and other subject matter experts.

In addition, every year, a Traditional Owner annual tour is held on site, during which Traditional Owners have the opportunity to visit and discuss any part of the mine where cultural heritage issues are present, including caves, underground, rehabilitation sites or water sources.

The Argyle mining lease area is on the traditional country of the Miriuwung, Gidja, Malgnin and Wularr peoples. The initial mining lease expired in and has been renewed. The Argyle mine was converted from open cut to underground operations in and the underground mine became operational by Since it started production in , Argyle produced more than metric carats Mct of rough diamonds and had ample reserves to mine commercially until its closure.

Mining at the Argyle diamond mine ceased in November The decommissioning and demolition will take three to five years. The discovery of the Argyle ore body marked the first time that a commercial diamond occurrence had been identified that is not hosted in kimberlite.

The AK1 pipe at Argyle instead consists of olivine lamproite, from which diamonds had been eroded to form placer alluvial deposits nearby. The deposit was discovered in by the Ashton joint venture, following some 12 years of exploration by various companies in the area.

The discovery of alluvial diamonds led directly to their source, the AK1 pipe. At the end of , the total measured, indicated and inferred resources in the AK1 pipe were 15Mt at a grade of 3. The resources were decreased to 0Mt during At the end of , the probable ore reserves were 5.

Development of Argyle was a two-stage process. To arrive at this final chapter has required vision, courage and determination to overcome significant challenges to enter new territory in diamond exploration, mining and marketing.

More reading: Rio Tinto announces new diamond tender; mining partner on verge of collapse Argyle Tender diamonds revealed. Search Stories by:. News, Pink Diamonds. An aerial view of the Argyle Mine — the world's premier source of pink diamonds — which ceased production on 3 November after 37 years of operation. End of an era: Argyle Mine officially closed. New Products RR Diamonds.