The Northern News Service quotes an announcement made by De Beers Canada according to which the recent increase in diamond production at the Snap Lake Diamond Mine will generate an additional 175 new jobs by the end of 2010.



This news constitutes a welcome change from the company’s actions earlier this year, which saw the closing down of the Snap Lake diamond mine from July to August and a slash in production rates due to the dramatic reduction in worldwide diamond demand.



In addition to the big hire, the company’s planned month-long shutdown due to commence this week has been cancelled – another reflection of the recent upswing in the diamond market.



On top of the additional 175 new diamond production jobs, De Beers will also seek to fill 30 more construction positions between February and October 2010.



This latest announcement comes just one month after Diavik Diamond Mines announced plans to hire 150 people for underground diamond production, due to commence in the first quarter of 2010.