Work permit issues lead to delays for Yellowknife diamond factory reopening
Almod Diamonds purchased shuttered plant in December 2016, aiming to open within 6 months
The reopening of a shuttered diamond polishing factory in Yellowknife has been delayed, as owner Almod Diamonds says it will be a few more months before it is prepared to begin operations.
Almod Diamonds, based in New York, bought the former Tiffany diamond cutting and polishing plant near Yellowknife's airport in December 2016. At the time, the company's president said that they expected to reopen within three to six months.
That put the company on a timeline to open the plant in the summer of 2017. However, as of October, it has still not opened.
A company spokesperson said the delays are due to setbacks obtaining work visas and permits for its employees. At the announcement of the purchase, Almod said 10 employees will initially be stationed at the plant, though they will come from the company's other operations.
No date has been set for the official reopening of the plant.
Corrections
- An earlier version of this story stated that the polishing plant was previously owned by Deepak Kumar. In fact, Kumar owned a different plant.Oct 12, 2017 8:25 AM CT
With files from Kate Kyle