De Beers Canada, the Canadian subsidiary of diamond mining giant, said in a statement that during 2008, it has spent $295.9 million developing the Snap Lake diamond mine, bringing its total investment in the mine to $1.235 billion.

According to the statement, De Beers spent 74% of its investment in the diamond mine with local businesses in the North West Territories to the tune of $218.7 million, and 61% with northern Aboriginal businesses or joint ventures to the tune of $132.9 million.

The Snap Lake Mine is located 220 kilometers northeast of Yellowknife and was the first of two diamond mines opened in Canada by De Beers in 2008.

The company said that the transition of the mine from construction to operation in 2008 brought the total number of local northern employees in the mine to 274 people, including employment of 15 Trades Trainees, 6 apprentices and 13 underground mine trainees.

“In 2008 we finished construction and commissioning of the underground crusher and conveyor system, we commenced commercial production in first quarter, and we celebrated the official opening of the Snap Lake Mine with close to 200 special guests in July,” De Beers Canada Chief Operating Officer Chantal Lavoie said in the statement.

The statement also said that it delivered 17,000 books to children in communities close to the mine as part of a literacy initiative and also announced the opening of a cultural center in the area.