Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX and NASDAQ: MPVD) today announces that it has entered into an understanding with Dominion Diamond Mines ULC ("Dominion"), which allows Mountain Province's customers to certify their qualifying polished diamonds under the Canadamark
certification program.
The Canadamark program is a strategic initiative of Dominion. Through its participation, Mountain Province joins Dominion in its efforts to assure the supply chain integrity of Canadian diamonds from mine to retail.
The Canadamark program verifies that diamonds are natural and untreated, and mined in Canada under a regulatory regime which protects the sustainability of the natural environment and northern people. Canadamark certified diamonds are tracked through independent, audited processes from mine of origin to polished stone, and polished to meet specific quality standards.
Said Reid Mackie, Mountain Province's Vice President Diamond Marketing, "We are excited that customers buying our share of the Gahcho Kué production can now apply for Canadamark certification. Once they are certified, our customers can confidently demonstrate the Canadian provenance of their goods and use this to enhance and support their individual branding programs. The unique characteristics of the Gahcho Kué production will help broaden the range of certified-Canadian goods available to consumers and consolidate market share of Canadian product under a consistent Canadian provenance standard."
Dominion's CEO Patrick Evans commented, "We are proud to partner with other diamond producers such as Mountain Province to promote the natural beauty of Canadian diamonds through the Canadamark program. Canadian diamonds are highly sought after by discerning buyers around the world who place special value on a product that has been responsibly mined, cut and polished."
Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kué diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest...