Northern politicians say they hope Greater Sudbury's first diamond processing facility, Crossworks Manufacturing Limited, located in a downtown building on Larch Street, will add value to the city's economy a very long time.
The diamond processing business, with worldwide operations, showed off its highly skilled staff and the Victor mine diamonds from Ontario's far north on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
“We intend to be the diamond capital of Canada,” said Sudbury Mayor John Rodriguez. “The potential here is bigger than Yellowknife, the other diamond centre in Canada,” he added.
He emphasized an underlining principle has been achieved.
“Where you mine your product you should finish it as a product. That is where the jobs are. Diamonds mined in northern Ontario will be finished in northern Ontario.”
After an initial partial start up in August, Crossworks Manufacturing is in full production with 30 employees. The company has brought in skilled employees with at least 10 years of cutting and polishing experience from its Vietnam operations to transform the rough cut diamonds from the Victor Mine into retail items to be sold nationwide.
In addition, Crossworks has partnered with local post-secondary facilities, such as Cambrian College, to investigate the need for programs offering training in the field. It hopes to have locally-trained individuals working within its facility in the future.
Production from the mine is roughly 600,000 karats, said Tom Ormsby, director of corporate affairs for De Beers Canada.
“It is a small mine compared to others but its diamonds command the highest price in the world at this time. These are the best quality diamonds in the world,” he added. The mine employs 500 people, a third of whom are from local First Nations.
Although the lifetime of the mine is about 10 years, he said the company has another 15 area that they are investigating.
“In two or three of these we are quite active with diamond core drilling going on.”
“This (diamond processing facility) is a new gem in our community. Cutting and polishing diamonds will be part of the Northern Ontario landscape,” said Sudbury MPP Rick Bartolucci.
He estimated up to 50 jobs could be created in the local operation. Dylan Dix, a marketing expert for Crossworks Manufacturing, said the production locally would be worth up to $35 million per year. Doug Nadorozny, chief administrator of the city, said the fact the facility was downtown and the workers were located nearby would benefit downtown businesses.
Michael Gravelle, Ontario Minister of Northern Development and Mines said Crossworks Manufacturing is a major diamond distributor in the world.
“These are highly skilled value added jobs,” he noted.
Crossworks supervisor Cuong Nguyen, from Vietnam, said he liked the city.
“I find it very nice. People are friendly. I am glad for all the nature around here. But it may be cold in winter,” he said.
However, diamond polisher Dung Do, also from Vietnam, said he preferred the cooler weather.
“Vietnam is very warm. I like the weather here,” he said with a smile.
Hong Tran, another Crossworks supervisor agreed people are friendly in the city.
“It is very nice here,” she said.
Diamonds from the Victor Mine and Canadian diamonds in general are high quality said Niel McKay, co-owner of retailer Robert Brown Jewellers on Cedar Street.
“We have been selling Canadian diamonds since they were first available from the North West Territories in the late 1990's. We have talked with Crossworks about carrying their diamonds when they are available,” said McKay.
The store will let everyone know when Northern Ontario diamonds are ready for sale.
“This is a big deal for us. We will advertise in local publications and on radio,” he chuckled.
Canadian diamond production ranks sixth in the world, but in terms of value the mines rank third, said Ormsby. He said the company is seeing signs of a recovery in the diamond market and production at the Victor Mine is in full production after a six week shutdown this summer.
