Northwest Territories

:For other geographical names that use the term "Northwest," see Northwest.

Economy

The territory enjoys vast geological resources including diamonds, gold, and natural gas. In particular, NWT diamonds are touted as an ethical alternative that allays risks of supporting conflicts by purchasing blood diamonds.

Related Topics:
Diamond - Gold - Natural gas - Blood diamonds

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, their exploitation has raised environmental concerns, not least the potential havoc that a spill from tailings ponds would cause to unspoiled wilderness areas such as the Nahanni National Park Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Related Topics:
Nahanni National Park Reserve - UNESCO - World Heritage Site

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Major Territorial Mines

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Con Mine - 1938-2003 (gold)
• Giant Mine - 1948-2004 (gold)
• Ptarmigan and Tom Mine - 1941-1942, 1986-1997 (gold)
• Negus Mine - 1939-1952 (gold)
• Thompson-Lundmark Mine - 1941-1943, 1947-1949 (gold)
• Discovery Mine - 1950-1969 (gold)
• Camlaren Mine - 1962-1963, 1980-1981 (gold)
• Eldorado Mine - 1933-1940, 1942-1960, 1976-1982 (radium, uranium, silver, copper)
• Echo Bay Mine - 1964-1975 (silver and copper)
• Ekati Diamond Mine - 1998-current (diamonds)
• Diavik Diamond Mine - 2003-current (diamonds)
• Pine Point Mine - 1964-1988 (lead and zinc)
• Cantung Mine - 1962-1986, 2002-2003 (tungsten)
• Rayrock Mine - 1957-1959 (uranium)
• Terra Mine - 1969-1985 (silver and copper)
• Tundra Mine - 1964-1968 (gold)
• Salmita Mine - 1983-1987 (gold)
• Colomac Mine - 1990-1992, 1994-1997 (gold)