Representatives from De Beers Victor Mine were in Timmins Thursday, to discuss the 2019 closure of their operation just north of Attawapiskat.

For ten years, the Victor Mine has operated as the only diamond-producing mine in the province, but operations will wrap up in February of 2019.

Tom Ormsby is Head of External and Corporate Affairs for De Beers Canada.

"The challenge is always, because we're so far from infrastructure and because the costs are so high and when you're so remote, it's to find the right blend of a target that will give you enough revenue and can you get it out economically. Because we've had two recessions since we've opened this mine, you know the price of oil has hit $150 a barrel twice since we opened this mine, so these things are the kind of out-of-left-field stuff that throws off your feasibility." said Ormsby.

Alistair Skinner is a superintendent for De Beers Victor Mine.

"So, we'll probably keep about sixty of our permanent employees on and we're looking at about 200 contractors. And we're expecting about, the contractors to take about, thirty of our permanent employees under them." said Skinner.

The closure will mark the end of a long-running relationship with Timmins-based employees and suppliers. 

Full closure is scheduled for around 2024.