On a frozen lake, 200km south of the Arctic Circle, Alan Butler walks past a sign that says “Portal” and descends deep into another world to search for diamonds.
“This is the most extreme place I’ve ever worked,” said the 67-year-old drill operator. “Working in -50°C is a whole different game. You have to be truly prepared.”
His descent marked the final shift for Rio Tinto’s Diavik mine in the icy tundra of Canada’s Northwest Territories. Over 23 years, the pit produced 150mn carats and billions in revenue, but its reserves are now exhausted.
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