Company hints at more development at Diavik mine

The head of RioTintosays 2015 could bring news of additional development at the N.W.T.'sDiavikdiamond mine.

"We've got an opportunity inDiavik... for a further development that you may hear about next year," Sam Walsh, CEO of RioTinto, toldBloombergon the floor of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in Beijing on Monday.

Walsh's comment caps years of uncertainty about the future of a fourth undeveloped pipe atDiavik, dubbedA21.

Three diamond-bearingkimberlitepipes have been developed atDiaviksince 2003. It's not clear whetherA21would help extend the life of the mine, which could close by 2023, according to the mine's other owner, Dominion Diamond Corporation.

TheDiavikmine currently employs just over 1,000 people, nearly half of whom are northerners.

Walsh also spoke encouragingly about his company's outlook on diamonds.

"Diamonds? I love diamonds," he said. "It's an asset that I'd like to nurture."