June, 2008

The City of Yellowknife and Rio Tinto Diavik Diamond Mines Inc. unveiled the new Madvac S300 Sidewalk Sweeper on June 27, 2008 in front of Rio Tinto’s Diavik office on Franklin Avenue.  Mayor Gordon Van Tighem and Diavik President Kim Truter were on hand for the unveiling, along with members of the media, City of Yellowknife and Diavik staff and members of the public.  The purchase of the sidewalk sweeper was made possible through a partnership between Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., a member of the Rio Tinto group of companies, and the City of Yellowknife.

Diavik President Kim Truter and Mayor Gordon Van Tighem in front of the new Madvac Sidewalk Sweeper.

According to Mayor Van Tighem: "It’s more than just a piece of machinery. The Madvac should become a symbol of the City’s, our corporate citizens’ and indeed all Yellowknifers’ ongoing commitment and pride in a clean capital city. Let's keep our gem polished!"  “Over the past weeks, we’ve seen great community participation in the Polish the Gem litter campaign and the City is looking great,” stated Diavik President Kim Truter. “For our part, Diavik employees recently participated in the spring cleanup and helped celebrate with a barbecue on Franklin. As with our other community projects, we are once again pleased to partner with the City to purchase the sidewalk sweeper, which will help further polish our City,” he said. 

City personnel have been trained on how to operate the unit and are excited to put it into action. The Madvac S300 features two circular sweepers, a suction hose and sprayer.

For further information on the Polishing the Gem campaign, please contact Grant White, Director of Community Services, at 920-5634, or Tom Hoefer, Principal Adviser, Communications and Government Relations, Diavik Diamond Mines Inc., at 669-6500.